Staff Writer

A Union man is accused of flinging a bag of cocaine and a gun aside as officers chased him for driving with a suspended license.

Starks Fincher, 36, of 109 Pine Terrace Circle, was charged by the Union County Sheriff's Office with driving under suspension, parking an unattended vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light, resisting arrest, trafficking cocaine and unlawful carrying of a pistol.

A report said Investigator Mickey Parker with the public safety department and Lt. David Kitchens with the sheriff's office were on patrol on the Duncan By-Pass when they received a call from an off-duty officer who had spotted Fincher driving and knew his license was suspended.

Parker and Kitchens set up surveillance and spotted Fincher headed west on the Sardis Road. They attempted to stop him by activating the blue lights and siren on their car. Fincher instead increased his speed and turned down McLure Street and then on Pine Terrace Circle, where he jumped out and fled without stopping his car.

Fincher threw down a bag he had in his hand and continued to run. Parker stopped at the bag. Kitchens saw Fincher cross the road on McLure Street. He advised Fincher he was under arrest but Fincher continued to run. Kitchens chased Fincher into the woods and caught him.

Inside the bag the officers found a large amount of crack cocaine, a Republic Arms pistol, six bullets and sandwich bags. Fincher's cell phone and hat were found on the ground near his vehicle.

Fincher is being held in the Union County Jail. His bond had not been set Wednesday.

Burglary

On 159 Rook Road, victims told Cpl. Jeff Wright Monday that someone took items from their storage building. Someone pulled the nails out of the hinge to enter the building. Missing are a set of 17-inch wheels and tires worth $1,400 and a red motorbike worth $900