Carthage man charged with drug trafficking, DUI, Joplin woman with possession following police pursuit

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 at approximately 9:10 P.M. an officer attempted to stop a red passenger vehicle at 7th St. & Wall Ave.

The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled from officers. The driver of the vehicle showed signs of impairment. As the vehicle fled from officers several items were thrown from the vehicle.

Officers were able to deploy tire deflation devices and stop the vehicle in the area of 12th St. & Michigan Ave. The driver identified as Michael Lawrence 59 years old of Carthage was taken into custody. 

The passenger in the vehicle was also arrested identified as Kimberly Leach 53 years old of Joplin. Items of drug paraphernalia were recovered from the pursuit path. 

Lawrence was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, felony resisting, driving with under the influence of drugs, parole violation warrant, and felony driving while revoked. Leach was charged with possession of a controlled substance.