RAPID CITY - South Dakota Highway Patrol seized 1.7 pounds of heroin, a bag of marijuana and nearly $27,000 in cash and checks near Rapid City last month, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, two Washington residents were arrested on drug-related charges following a March 31 morning traffic stop and foot pursuit on Interstate 90, just west of Rapid City.
When Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Oxner stopped the vehicle, 59-year-old passenger and Federal Way resident LeRoy Edwards Jr. allegedly grabbed several packages and ran from the scene. As Trooper Zac Bader and his police service dog Karma arrived on scene, Edwards was pursued and found without any drugs. Bader and Karma later found three vacuumed sealed packages of heroin totalling 1.7 pounds in the area.
Marijuana and cash were found in the vehicle.
Both the driver, 59-year-old Everett resident Randi Edwards, and LeRoy Edwards Jr. were arrested on drug-related charges.
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“While not every incident involves a foot pursuit, the performance of Trooper Bader, Karma and Sgt. Oxer exemplifies the high quality performance that Highway Patrol troopers demonstrate on a daily basis,” said Col. Craig Price, superintendent of Highway Patrol, in a press release. “This incident is another example of the strong partnership among law enforcement here in South Dakota.”
The state Division of Criminal Investigation, Box Elder Police Department and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office assisted Highway Patrol in the incident.
