Frederick Man Charged With Drugs, Weapons Offenses Following Traffic Stop

Police say he ran away during the stop.

Frederick, Md (KM) A Frederick man who fled from police during a traffic stop has been arrested. Jose Eduardo Guardado-Mercado, 24, is charged with weapons and drugs offenses.

Police say on Thursday at 12:30 PM, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle in the first block of Willowdale Drive. A police canine arrived at the scene, and sniffed positive for drugs in the car.  The driver was arrested.

During that time, authorities a passenger identified as Guardado-Mercado stood up from the curb. Officers told him to sit down. He refused and ran away. He was caught following a foot chase. During the pursuit, officers say Guardado-Mercado threw a handgun on the pavement which landed under a marked police car in a parking lot. Guardado-Mercado was then taken into custody without further incident.

The charges against Guardado-Mercado are:

*Possession of a handgun in a vehicle

*Possession of a handgun on person

*Loaded handgun on person

*Loaded handgun in a vehicle

*Possession to Distribute drugs-Marijuana

*Possession to Distribute drugs with firearm

*Possession of a firearm while engaged in a drug trafficking crime

*Possession/Use of firearm in commission of felony PWID

Police say additional charges are pending following further investigation.

By Kevin McManus