Man arrested in field after police pursuit

Dana Paul Rutherford | Bannock County Sheriff’s Office BANNOCK COUNTY — A man has been charged with multiple felonies for drug possession and evading police. According to court documents, on Nov. 27, an Idaho State Police trooper responded to a traffic complaint about a maroon Dodge Ram pickup truck that did not stay in its lane on Interstate 15. The trooper found the truck and tried to pull it over, but the truck continued driving and swerving into the center lane. The driver was later identified as Dana Paul Rutherford. Court documents say Rutherford took exit 73 in Bannock County near Chubbuck. Then he turned onto New Day Parkway and ran a red light, almost causing a crash. He allegedly continued driving in a “reckless and erratic” manner on New Day Parkway and then turned into a field. The trooper continued pursuing the Rutherford in the field. The truck eventually stopped in the field, and Rutherford began throwing items out of the vehicle. The trooper made commands to the Rutherford and he reportedly told the trooper to shoot him and kill him. Bannock County deputies quickly arrived to the scene. The trooper told Rutherford to get on his knees or he would be tased. Rutherford reportedly complied, but tensed to stop law enforcement from handcuffing him. After law enforcement handcuffed him, the trooper asked why he tried to flee. Rutherford reportedly said “he didn’t want his freedom taken away from him,” and he had warrants for his arrest. The trooper searched Rutherford and found a clear pipe with burned residue in his jacket pocket that Rutherford identified as a meth pipe. Other sergeants found a handgun, methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana in the truck. Rutherford was booked in the Bannock County Jail. He is charged with six felonies for drug-trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, persistent violator and eluding a police officer in a motor vehicle. His misdemeanors include resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rutherford pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bond is set at $150,000. Although Rutherford has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.The post Man arrested in field after police pursuit appeared first on East Idaho News.
Source: eastidahonews.com