Foot chase leads to cocaine charges

TEXAS CITY — Three people have been charged with cocaine possession, including a man accused of shaking off stun gunfire and fighting with police during a two-block sprint until four officers tackled him, authorities said Monday.

Earnest Wayne Triplett, 35, Olympia Delena Thomas, 31, and Krista Ryan McCartney, 24, were charged with cocaine possession, stemming from an 11:45 a.m. Sunday traffic stop in the 2000 block of Second Avenue North, Texas City police Capt. Brian Goetschius said.

Police recovered 18 plastic bags containing a powdery substance, but authorities accused Triplett of refusing to keep his hands on the Mazda car during a search. Police then accused him of running.

Officers twice wrestled Triplett to the ground but he escaped their grasp, Goetschius said.

An officer twice shot a stun gun at Triplett, but his clothing thwarted the stun gun from stopping him, Goetschius said.

Triplett was accused of punching one officer, and an officer used his knee to hit Triplett. Four officers eventually detained Triplett in the 100 block of 21st Street, Goetschius said.

Two officers suffered minor injuries.

Triplett also was charged with assault on a public servant, resisting arrest, evading arrest and failure to identify, Goetschius said.

Triplett’s bond was set at $142,500, and bonds for Thomas and McCartney were each set at $20,000, Goetschius said.