PANAMA CITY -- Narcotics investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man Tuesday in the area of 10th and Beck Avenue, after he struck an unmarked BCSO vehicle in order to evade law enforcement, authorities said.
After conducting surveillance, investigators believed that Chris Allen Eckman was involved in illegal narcotics activity and attempted a traffic stop on him at 14th and Cincinnati in Panama City. Eckman pulled away as investigators approached his vehicle and fled the scene, ramming into the BCSO unmarked vehicle. As Eckman fled he threw a bag containing about 28 grams of methamphetamine in “ice” form from the window of his vehicle, a BCSO release said.
Eckman abandoned his vehicle at 10th and Beck Avenue and tried to run but was apprehended after a short foot chase, BCSO said. He was found to be in possession of more meth.
Eckman was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and assault on a law enforcement officer.