A Hot Springs man on parole was arrested on a felony drug charge Wednesday after allegedly refusing to pull over for a traffic stop by a Garland County sheriff's deputy.
Dwon Erving Ridley, 24, who lists a Ripley Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 1 p.m. and charged with a felony count of possession of a controlled substance, hydrocodone, and a misdemeanor count of fleeing, punishable by up to one year in jail. Ridley was also cited for not having, or having an expired, driver's license, no liability insurance, driving a vehicle without tags and fictitious tags.
Ridley remained in custody Thursday on bonds totaling $3,500 and a parole hold and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 12:45 p.m., sheriff's Capt. Scotty Dodd attempted to make a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet with expired tags that returned to a Cadillac. He activated his lights to make the stop on West Grand Avenue near Hazel Street, but the driver, later identified as Ridley, reportedly would not stop.
The pursuit continued on West Grand to Seventh Street with Ridley driving about 25 to 30 mph and stopping at all stop signs. He continued to Rector Street where he pulled into a driveway in the 800 block, drove to the rear of the residence and stopped. Dodd noted Ridley would not comply with orders to show his hands.
Dodd states he tried to get Ridley to exit the vehicle and then pulled his duty weapon and held it on him until Hot Springs police arrived to assist. Ridley allegedly began to yell at Dodd, saying, "I'm a black man. This is why you are doing this!"
Ridley finally complied and was placed face down on the ground and taken into custody. He allegedly had a cellphone in one pocket, $116 in cash and a hydrocodone tablet in another pocket. Inside the vehicle was a backpack with Ridley's wallet containing another $700 in cash.
Local on 08/24/2018