TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN FOOT PURSUIT AND ARRESTS

A traffic stop initiated by a Bloomington District Troopers on Monday evening, December 1st, resulted in the arrest of a Bloomington man, a Mitchell woman, and a Bedford woman on drug-related charges.

Trooper Ben Burris, while conducting a traffic patrol in Bedford, observed a 2011 white Mazda CX-7 approaching at a speed exceeding the posted speed limit. Trooper Burris activated his red/blue emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Marlo M. Hurt, Age 55, of Mitchell, stopped in the parking lot of an abandoned building located at the intersection of 16th and G Streets.

As soon as the Mazda stopped, the back driver-side door opened, and a male subject, later identified as Tanner Lewis Hurt, Age 27, of Bloomington, fled the scene. During the foot chase, Trooper Burris observed Tanner Hurt throwing a backpack he was wearing as he ran down the sidewalk. Trooper Burris apprehended Tanner Hurt without incident as he attempted to jump a chain link fence, and he also learned Tanner Hurt was wanted on an active arrest warrant from Lawrence County.

Troopers Jesse Crane and Caleb Sipes assisted with the traffic stop and follow-up investigation. Trooper Crane, upon learning of the thrown backpack from Trooper Burris, had located it and found drug-related items in it, including the following: multiple plastic bags containing a total of 3 grams of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine, paraphernalia with burnt plant material, multiple used hypodermic syringes, and other items of paraphernalia. The Troopers conducted field test kits on the evidentiary items believed to be methamphetamine and marijuana.

Troopers continued their investigation with a search of the Mazda. Seized and submitted evidentiary items included a digital scale with white crystal residue, paraphernalia with plant residue, multiple used hypodermic syringes, and other drug-related evidentiary items.

Tanner Hurt was arrested without incident and transported to the Lawrence County Jail where his custody was transferred for the following charges:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 Felony
  • Hypodermic Syringe, a Level 6 Felony
  • Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor


A passenger, later identified as Teegan Marie Ray-Burton, Age 22, of Bedford, was also arrested without incident and transported to the Lawrence County Jail where her custody was transferred for the following charges:
 
  • Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 6 Felony
  • Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, a Level 6 Felony
  • Trafficking With an Inmate, a Class A Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor.

The driver of the Mazda, Marlo Hurt, was arrested and issued a summons for the following:
 
  • Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor



All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.