Fleeing Driver Caught After OKC Chase — 136 Joints Found

A routine traffic encounter in Oklahoma City quickly turned into a pursuit after an officer found a driver apparently asleep behind the wheel. When the driver suddenly took off, officers followed until the vehicle was stopped and the suspect was taken into custody. 

THE DRIVER TAKES OFF

The incident happened Saturday morning, September 5, in Oklahoma City. An officer noticed a black Lincoln stopped at a traffic light near I-240 SVC Road and S. May.

Inside the vehicle, the officer found JOSE MARES ASLEEP IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. After tapping on the window and shaking the vehicle to wake him, the officer said Mares suddenly drove away.

The officer followed the Lincoln along I-240 SVC Road until it stopped at another traffic light near I-240 and S. Pennsylvania. 

POLICE FORCE THE DRIVER OUT

Once the vehicle was stopped, officers used a window breaker to gain access and remove Mares from the car.

According to the arresting officer, A STRONG ODOR OF MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL WAS DETECTED, while Mares was described as lethargic. Mares reportedly told police he had been coming from a bar on 10th Street. 

136 PRE-ROLLED JOINTS FOUND

The traffic pursuit then led to a much larger discovery inside the vehicle.

Police reportedly found TWO ZIPLOCK BAGS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 136 PRE-ROLLED MARIJUANA JOINTS, along with marijuana wax, marijuana vapes and a syringe containing a concentrated liquid suspected to be THC.

A blood-draw warrant was subsequently obtained, and Mares was taken to a nearby medical center for the blood draw. 

ARREST AND CHARGES

Mares was taken into custody following the stop. The information attributed to Oklahoma City police says he faced charges including AGGRAVATED DUI, ELUDING, AND INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE. 

The bodycam footage captures the final stage of the encounter, as officers place the suspect in handcuffs beside the Oklahoma City police vehicle.

WHAT STARTED WITH AN OFFICER FINDING A DRIVER ASLEEP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ENDED WITH AN ARREST AND A VEHICLE CONTAINING DOZENS OF PRE-ROLLED JOINTS.