By Pat Culverhouse

Fleeing from law enforcement might not be such a good idea if there’s a significant size difference in the vehicles involved in the getaway attempt and a 41-year-old Minden man, who now faces a variety of charges, learned the hard way.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said Tony Dewayne Martin was arrested around 10 a.m. the day after Christmas when a pursuing deputy sheriff used his patrol unit in a “pit” maneuver at the intersection of LA 527 and LA 163 to put an end to a motorcycle chase that had reached speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour.

Martin, who listed an address in the 1100 block of Miller Rd., fell from the motorcycle he was driving after impact and landed in a sitting position on the asphalt roadway. He was transported by EMS to LSU Medical Center for treatment.

Parker said Martin faces a number of traffic violations including aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer, driving under suspension, failure to stop, no license plates displayed and violating no passing zones. He has also been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS Sch.I (Heroin) and theft of a motor vehicle. Martin also had a pair of outstanding warrants, the Sheriff said.

“Shortly after 9 a.m. Dec. 26, Deputy Derrick Phelps was dispatched to the 1900 block of Pilgrims Rest Rd. in reference to a medical call,” Parker said. “The subject in question refused several times Deputy Phelps’ request to stop walking away and provide correct identification. He mounted a white motorcycle and sped down Pilgrims Rest Rd. at a high rate of speed.”

With Deputy Phelps in pursuit, assisted by deputies Lt. Coby Barton and Damien Christian, Martin reportedly drove in a highly reckless manner, passing in no-passing zones and blowing through stop signs until nearing the intersection of LA highways 163 and 527.

“Deputy Phelps slowed to around 25 miles per hour and performed a pit maneuver on the motorcycle’s rear tire to end the pursuit before the public or the subject was placed in further danger,” Parker said. “During a search afterward, our deputies found a used syringe and a loaded spoon with suspected Heroin in the subject’s pockets.”

Further investigation into the incident indicated the motorcycle, which showed no registration or insurance, was stolen in Texas, the Sheriff said.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.