Sarasota Police arrest alleged drug dealers

Sarasota Police officers arrested two men for a variety of drug offenses after a short chase through Newtown Sunday.

Officers attempted to pull over 29-year-old Thomas McDuffie and passenger Tyderian Jenkins, 21, after the pair ran a stop sign at roughly 4 a.m. near the 2800 block of Central Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit. McDuffie then drove the silver Chevy through a field and crashed into a tree, after which both suspects fled on foot and were caught within 100 feet of the vehicle.

Police seized 2.4 grams of crack cocaine, 21.1 grams of crack cocaine, 3 grams of heroin, ecstasy, marijuana and more than $1,700 in cash from the vehicle.

The Sarasota Police Department has charged McDuffie with possession of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin with intent to sell, along with leaving the scene of a crash and obstruction without violence. Jenkis was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and obstruction without violence.