Pearcy man arrested in Dierks; charged with drug charges

A theft call from the Dierks Laundromat in the early morning hours Friday, January 21st, has led to the arrest of a Hot Springs man. Police reports say officer Zack Shankles was responding to the call, when he observed the suspect’s vehicle fleeing the scene. Officer Shankles said he attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle, which ended when the driver pulled into a residence on Old Highway 70. The driver, identified as 26 year old Chelsey Eason of Pearcy, was cited for fleeing and driving on a suspended license. During a search of the vehicle, authorities say they found a green zipper case located on the passenger side of the vehicle. According to Officer Shankles, that case contained more than nine grams of methamphetamine. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as 36 year Dustin Pounds of Hot Springs. He was arrested at the scene and transported to the Howard County Jail, with charges pending for Possession of a Controlled Substance With Purpose to Deliver.