Two Men Arrested After Close Encounter with Police Chief

A Smithville man was arrested on drug charges Thursday after his apparent reckless driving drew the attention of Police Chief Randy Caplinger.
34 year old James Frederick Summers is charged with possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale (marijuana) and a fourth offense of driving on a revoked license. He will be in court on October 11. His bond is $16,000. Summers was also cited for unlawful possession of a weapon (brass knuckles), which were found on his person; and for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Chief Caplinger told WJLE Friday that as he was driving north in his patrol car on Tramel Street going toward West Main Street, a 2000 model Hyundai, driven by Summers, was approaching him, coming south on Tramel Street. He said the car almost hit him head-on. Summers pulled into the parking lot of DeKalb Community Bank. Chief Caplinger stopped the vehicle and detained Summers. A passenger of the car, 28 year old Joshua Cripps, got out and fled on foot. He was picked up later at another location in the county and was charged with evading arrest.
Officer Chip Avera and Corporal Travis Bryant arrived to assist Chief Caplinger at the scene.
Found in Summers’ car were 40 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana wrapped in paper along with some drug paraphernalia. A check of Summers’ driving record revealed that he was driving on a revoked license. His license had previously been revoked for driving under the influence in Warren County and for two DUI’s in DeKalb County. Summers was taken into custody and his car was seized by police.