Arrest for Drug Sales Following Vehicle and Foot Pursuit
September 14, 2024 – Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, just after 1:00 P.M. in the afternoon, TNT Agents observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction in a parking lot in the Soulsbyville area. As TNT Agents attempted to contact involved subjects, 46-year-old Stephen Thomas Belt, who had an active parole warrant for his arrest, drove out of the parking lot onto Soulsbyville Rd.
TNT Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Belt failed to stop and led TNT Agents on an approximately half mile vehicle pursuit. During the vehicle pursuit, Belt passed vehicles on the wrong side of the road and drove recklessly at unsafe speeds. Belt turned onto a dead-end gravel road where he fled his vehicle on foot. TNT Agents pursued Belt and caught him after a short foot pursuit.
After being caught, Belt attempted to throw over a half an ounce of methamphetamine into the brush. TNT agents searched Belt and his vehicle and found additional evidence of methamphetamine sales including drug packaging materials and over $2,500.00 in cash.
Belt was arrested and transported to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) where he was booked on charges of 11379(A) HS – Transporting a controlled substance, 11379(A) HS – Possession of a controlled substance for sale, 2800.2(A) VC – Evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, 11364(A) HS – Possession of unlawful drug use paraphernalia, and 148(A)(1)PC – Obstructing or resisting a peace officer.
The attached video shows body cam clips from the vehicle, foot pursuit and arrest of Belt.
View video here.
Source & photo: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office
