Man accused of tossing pot plants from SUV

A 54-year-old Harviell, Missouri, man may face drug-related charges after police say he tossed suspected marijuana plants from his SUV as deputies were trying to stop his vehicle Wednesday night.

Butler County Sgt. Brandon Lowe reported he was heading south on U.S. 67 about 9:35 p.m. when a Saturn SUV pulled in front of him onto the Route M ramp, accelerated in front of his patrol car, changed lanes and crossed the fog line, nearly entering the median at one point.

Lowe said he tried to pull the vehicle over.

"As soon as I activated my lights, the driver, later identified as Henry (Clay) Davidson, activated the right-turn signal as if to pull over," he said. "The SUV continued to drive southbound."

Even after Lowe turned on his siren, followed closely by another police car, Davidson's SUV continued traveling, eventually going "all the way across the shoulder of the road and into the grass." Then it went into a ditch, where Lowe said he saw Davidson throwing dirt and plants out the passenger window.

Lowe said Davidson's vehicle went back across both traffic lanes onto the shoulder next to the median, eventually slowing. Lowe and another deputy approached the SUV on foot.

"As I was approaching the vehicle, I could see Davidson reaching in the backseat as if trying to grab something," Lowe wrote in his report.

Lowe said he drew his gun and told Davidson to put his vehicle in park. Davidson complied but refused to get out of the car, so the officer removed the man from the SUV, smelling a marijuana odor inside, police reported.

A search of the vehicle turned up several small marijuana plants and potting soil in the passenger seat and on the floor, police reported.

The officers found 18 suspected marijuana plants, ranging from 4 to 8 inches tall. Davidson was arrested on suspicion of careless and imprudent driving, distribution/delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance, failure to yield to a emergency vehicle and resisting arrest.