By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
What started as a traffic stop turned into a pursuit that ended with the arrest of a Salina man on requested drug and gun charges Monday night.
Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that an officer saw a 2005 Nissan Maxima with no operable taillights driving southbound in the 400 block of N. Broadway Boulevard at approximately 9 p.m. Monday. The officer attempted to stop the car, but it continued south until turning into the parking lot of Kwik Star convenience store, 100 N. Broadway Boulevard, where it backed into a parking stall and the driver was apprehended.
Forrester said the driver, identified as Earnest Skillern, Jr., 57, of Salina, had a suspended driver's license. Additionally, he was allegedly found to be in possession of 35 grams of methamphetamine and a .45 Ruger handgun.
Skillern was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester said.
●Possession of a firearm by a felon
●Possession of a stimulant with intent to distribute
●No drug tax stamp
●Possession of drug paraphernalia
●Misdemeanor flee and elude
●Driving while suspended
●No proof of insurance
●Defective tail lamps