Man tries to swallow evidence, arrested for tampering

GONZALES — A San Antonio man faces felony charges after police said he was caught with illegal drugs and fought against officers when they tried to arrest him.

At 10:35 p.m. June 17, Officer Ryan Salles was patrolling in the 300 block of Sarah Dewitt when he saw a vehicle going south between the lanes, Capt. Allen Taylor reported. When the car ran a stop sign the officer pulled it over in the 700 block of Sarah Dewitt. He identified the driver as Patrick Rhodes, 29, of San Antonio.

When Rhodes stepped out of the vehicle the officer noticed one of his pockets was partially opened. He asked to check the pocket, but Rhodes refused to cooperate, Taylor said. Eventually the officer found a cigarette pack in his pocket, as well as a flashlight. Rhodes then unscrewed the flashlight, took the top off and told officers that’s where he kept his money and there was no need to check it. However, when checking the flashlight officers found a small plastic bag containing a white substance. Rhodes then grabbed the bag and put it in his mouth. When officers tried to arrest Rhodes, he resisted, but after a brief struggle officers managed to arrest him, Taylor said.

Officers said Rhodes spit out the bag, which contained marijuana and meth. Officers also found marijuana in the cigarette pack, Taylor said.

Rhodes was taken to Gonzales County Jail. He is charged with tampering with evidence, evading arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 less than 1 gram and possession of marijuana.