In what turned into more than just a typical traffic stop, Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office was led on a high-speed chase that ended with the apprehension of a New Tazewell man and the seizure of illegal substances and money on Tuesday. According to a social media post by the Sheriff's Office, Detective Adam Southern, while on criminal interdiction patrol along Lone Mountain Road and Highway 33, clocked a vehicle speeding and attempted to pull it over.
The situation escalated when the driver, identified as 49-year-old Robert Brian Reece, decided to gun it instead of stopping, prompting Detective Southern to initiate a pursuit. Throughout the chase, a bag was seen being hurled from the speeding vehicle, a detail reported by the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. Eventually, the chase concluded on New Hope Road, where Reece was subsequently taken into custody.
The thrown bag, later recovered, was found to contain a significant stash of what is believed to be methamphetamine. Further inspection of Reece's vehicle uncovered a large sum of money, as described in the Sheriff's Office's account. As a result of the incident, Reece now faces multiple charges, among them being Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale and Delivery, Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance for Sale and Delivery, and Felony Evading Arrest, alongside other traffic-related infractions.
The pursuit and arrest conducted by Detective Southern have underscored the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to crack down on narcotics distribution within the region. In following the high-speed chase, captured misusing a vehicle registration, Reece's attempt to escape has added to his list of offenses, as explained by the official statement from the Sheriff's Office. Reece, already facing a litany of charges, has yet to have his day in court where he will be presented the opportunity to respond to the allegations laid before him.
