Published: October 02, 2008 10:02 pm      

Police: Suspect tossed heroin during chase

SOMERSET — A Garrett man is in the Somerset County Jail after borough police said they caught him throwing away a cigarette pack containing 13 stamp bags of heroin during a brief chase.

Sammie McFarland Jr., 30, was arraigned before on-call District Judge Joseph Cannoni of Windber and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Police said they were called to Mel’s Restaurant and Lounge on West Patriot Street shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday to investigate reports of a man with a gun trying to sell heroin.

McFarland was standing outside the bar and ran into the rear parking lot when officers arrived, authorities said.

During the brief chase, police said McFarland tossed an item into brush on the side of the parking lot. They said they later found a cigarette box containing the heroin, which was packaged for sale, and a marijuana cigarette.

McFarland was taken into custody after officers threatened to stun him with a Taser.

No weapon was found.

McFarland faces charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin and three misdemeanor drug violations. A preliminary hearing tentatively is scheduled for Wednesday before District Judge Art Cook of Somerset.