Three Coffee County residents were arrested Friday morning after a high-speed chase in Jeff Davis County, stemming from a drug trafficking investigation. The arrests followed an incident that began the previous night when one of the suspects, James Clinton Thomas, fled Bacon County Hospital in Alma.
According to the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement was notified by Bacon County officials that Thomas, involved in a drug investigation, may have been hiding in Jeff Davis County. Early Friday morning, state troopers spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car on Alma Highway near Ira Graham Road.
Troopers attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the driver, later identified as James Clinton Thomas, failed to stop and attempted to elude the officers. As the vehicle slowed down, Thomas exited the car and fled on foot. Officers quickly apprehended one suspect and later caught another suspect following a short foot chase.
The third individual, a female passenger, was detained at the scene. During the pursuit, Thomas allegedly discarded an object into the woods. Investigators later recovered the item, which contained a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine.
Thomas, who is now facing charges of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects, was arrested and transported to jail. The second suspect, Jimmy Lydell Thomas, was arrested for his outstanding warrants and will face additional drug charges in Bacon County.
Madisen Tolleson, the third suspect, was charged with possession of drug-related objects and remained at the vehicle. The investigation continues as authorities process the evidence related to the drug trafficking operation.