Convicted felon found with drugs and firearms after high-speed chase, say police - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

Convicted felon found with drugs and firearms after high-speed chase, say police

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IDAHO FALLS — A 43-year-old man was arrested after allegedly getting into a high-speed chase with police and being found with drugs and guns.

Eric Gregory Vasquez is charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, two felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony eluding a police officer, and misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing officers, possession of a controlled substance, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vasquez pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges on Monday. He has not yet entered pleas to the felony charges.

On Sunday around 12:40 a.m., an Idaho State Police trooper observed a white Ford F150 driving east on 1st Street, according to court documents. Police reports say the truck did not have a front license plate and was traveling 35 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the Ford began to speed up as they approached Holmes Avenue. The trooper says they chased the Ford as it drove at speeds over 100 mph.

Court documents say the Ford almost hit two other cars traveling in the same direction.

As they approached the intersection of 1st Street and Woodruff Avenue, the Ford ran a red light, nearly hitting another vehicle. At this point, the trooper discontinued the chase due to “the reckless and dangerous manner in which the Ford was driving in (an) attempt to elude.”

Around 12:45 a.m., an Idaho Falls Police officer spotted the Ford at the intersection of Tyra Drive and Bodily Street.

Police reports say Vasquez initially ran from police and hid behind a car in a driveway but was quickly detained.

Officers and the trooper searched Vasquez and allegedly found his truck keys and an unspecified amount of methamphetamine.

The Idaho State Police Regional Communications Center South performed a criminal history check on Vasquez and learned that he was on parole for possession of a controlled substance.

They also learned that he had been previously convicted for two felonies for the use of a controlled substance in Ada County, felony manufacturing or possessing a controlled substance in Ada County, felony unlawful possession of a firearm in Spokane, Washington, and felony first-degree kidnapping, burglary, robbery and unlawful use of a weapon in Deschutes County, Oregon.

Vasquez was then transferred to EIRMC for a medical clearance.

When officers searched the truck, they reportedly found “a green leafy substance, a case containing a waxy substance, a cellphone, an iPad, multiple SD cards, and two firearms.”

The trooper then met with Vasquez at the hospital. When asked why he did not stop his truck for police, Vasquez reportedly did not respond and instead asked what speed the trooper had checked him at.

When asked where he was coming from, Vasquez replied, “Home,” then said he was homeless and said “he was going to go to prison,” according to court documents.

Vasquez was then transported and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on a $150,000 bond. He is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 5. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Though Vasquez has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

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