TYLER, Texas — Three people were arrested Tuesday after law enforcement found over 92 grams of meth and items related to the sale of narcotics during a traffic stop in Smith County.
Jacob Edward Kovarik, 44, Brandy Havard Franklin, 31, and Brandy Yvette Rucker, 48, were all booked into the Smith County Jail after the stop on US Highway 271 North in Smith County.
Kovarik was arrested on evading arrest/detention with a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance charges as well as a parole violation. Franklin and Rucker were both charged with manufacture and or delivery of a controlled substance, according to the Smith County Sheriff's Office.
The vehicle failed to stop and sped away when a Smith County Pct. 5 deputy constable attempted a traffic stop. The driver, who was identified as Kovarik, pulled into the parking lot of Texas Best Smokehouse on Highway 271 at Interstate 20. He dropped off a woman before evading officers going south on the highway, the sheriff's office said.
Kovarik turned around and traveled northbound until he turned back into the Texas Best Smokehouse parking lot. He got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods near the lot. He was arrested shortly after, the SCSO said.
During the pursuit, a Smith County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy detained the woman who exited the vehicle and identified her as Franklin. The deputy also detained Rucker as well while she was attempting to assist Franklin.
After searching the vehicle, deputies found 92.6 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale and multiple clear baggies. The sheriff's office said this evidence shows the possible manufacture and/or selling of illicit narcotics.
Smith County Pct. 4 Constable's Office, Smith County Pct. 1 Constable's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety also assisted with the arrests.