At approximately 5:03 p.m. officers attempted to stop a 2001 Ford Expedition, operated by a suspected drug trafficker.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle while exiting the off ramp at Governor Printz Blvd. and I-495. That's when the suspect took off, leading police units on a pursuit throughout the city's northeast section.
When the pursuit reached the 1300 block of E. 27th Street, the suspect allegedly threw a package out of the window.
The suspect jumped out of the SUV at 25th and Broom Streets and fled on foot. He was later apprehended after emerging from a wooded area in the Augustine Ridge development just east of Augustine Road.
Police were able to retrieve the package thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit. The bag contained 17,674 bags of heroin, valued at $176,740. The bags were stamped with the brand "Lottery".
The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Michael Pritchett of the 1300 Block of Vandever Avenue.
Pritchett is charged with Trafficking in Heroin-Over 50 Grams, Possession With Intent to Deliver a Narcotic Schedule I Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Vehicle for Keeping Controlled Substances, Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Leaving the Scene of Property Collision Accident, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Stop At a Red Light.
He was transferred to Howard Young Prison for lack of $739,500 bail.
