On Tuesday afternoon, April 14, Captain Chip Nix and Investigator Julian Crowder spotted 2 persons in 2 vehicles acting suspiciously in a Tallahassee Highway parking lot.  Then a blue Caprice headed south on Tallahassee Highway accelerating to a high rate of speed.

Cedric "Sleepy" Thomas, the driver of the Caprice weaved in and out of traffic at speeds over 90 mph until he was caught behind traffic.  He turned onto Johnny Skipper Road and took off with Captain Nix behind him keeping him in sight.  Thomas flew across the train tracks and around the curve where Captain Nix and Investigator Crowder lost sight of the vehicle.

Now, after being out of deputy's sight, the Caprice is driving slower.   They watched Cedric Thomas turn north on Highway 309 and when they caught up with him, apparently now not trying to get away, made a traffic stop.  Captain Nix asked Thomas for his license as Investigator Crowder approached the vehicle on passenger side.

"What the fxxx did you stop me for." Thomas asked.  Captain Nix again asked for the driver's license.  Thomas attempted to open the driver's door and Captain Nix told Thomas to stay in the car.  Thomas then pushed the door into Captain Nix trying to get out of the car.  Captain Nix again told Thomas to stay in the car and pushed the door back.  Investigator Crowder grabbed Thomas' arm from inside the car and handcuffed Thomas.

Thomas was now allowed outside the car where they spoke with him.  Thomas heard the deputies request a K9 unit and told them they were free to search his car, which they chose not to do.  After a warning for reckless driving and running the stop sign, deputies released Thomas.

Captain Nix and Investigator Crowder returned to the area where they had lost sight of Thomas.  After a search of the area, they discovered a baggie of crack cocaine and baggies of traces of powder cocaine.

The items were turned over to Crime Scene Investigator Captain Gale Bowyer.  He was able to lift fingerprints from the baggies containing crack cocaine.  The fingerprints were identified as belonging to Cedric Bernard Thomas.

A warrant was issued for possession of cocaine with intent.  On Wednesday, Cpl Pat Trolinger arrested Cedric Bernard Thomas, 27, of 1001 Nancy Place.

It is commonplace for suspects to run from law enforcement where there may be possession of drugs involved.  Better for a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude, that can be plea bargained or dismissed, than a possession with intent to distribute.