By Joe Bachman

A 40-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man faces multiple drug charges after attempting to flee police.

According to reports, on Jan. 28, officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of E. Jackson St. and Oak St. with mismatched license plates. The vehicle also had malfunctioning side brake light.

After officers turned on their emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Torea Mitchell, would not stop. Mitchell continued to accelerate from the officers down 10th St. North and a chase was on.

Mitchell would allegedly drive through 14 stop signs driving at speeds up to 100 m.p.h. The pursuit ended when Mitchell crashed into a snowbank in the area of 25th St. South.

During the chase, officers observed Mitchell tossing two bags out of the window later recovered by police. Inside the bags, they discovered marijuana, and five white pills with red spots. The pills were identified as acetaminophen, and hydrocodone — which is classified as a schedule II controlled substance.

If convicted, Mitchell faces up to 10 years and six months imprisonment, and up to $30,000 in fines for possession of narcotics, marijuana, and attempting to flee police. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.