Bond set for man accused of leading police on chase

12/7/2004

BOWLING GREEN - Bond was set at $55,000 yesterday for a Fostoria man who had been wanted for fleeing from a Wood County sheriff's deputy and for an unrelated assault in Fostoria.

Brandon Navarro, 21, was arraigned in Bowling Green Municipal Court before Judge Mark Reddin on charges of assault, vandalism, illegal conveyance of prohibited items into a detention facility, trafficking in drugs, and failure to comply. He is being held in the Wood County jail.

Bowling Green police said Mr. Navarro punched Barrett Lewis, 26, of Bowling Green behind the Uptown/Downtown bar on North Main Street about 2:15 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Navarro initially tried to run but was apprehended by officers and placed in a cruiser, where he reportedly kicked out a window.

At the jail, deputies said they found a bag of suspected marijuana in his pocket. During a subsequent search of his car and local hotel room, officers found several bags of marijuana.

Last week, Mr. Navarro drove off after a sheriff's deputy stopped him for speeding and noticed a bag containing a white powder residue in his jacket. He reportedly led deputies on a chase for 20 miles, reaching speeds of 130 mph before the pursuit was called off.