AULANDER – An Aulander man has been arrested and charged with a line of narcotics related crimes, but authorities are now finding law enforcement officials in South Carolina want to talk with the suspect as well.

Aulander Police Chief Jimmy Barmer stated that a person going by the name of Andrel Pinner, living at 117 Bell Street here, had been under surveillance for several weeks due to a high number of complaints and suspicion of drugs being sold in his home and from his vehicle.

A search warrant was obtained Oct. 17 after Barmer called for assistance from the Roanoke-Chowan Narcotics Task Force and the Bertie Sheriff’s Office.

&uot;We found a small amount of what is believed to be crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a .38 pistol in the suspect’s vehicle,&uot; Barmer stated.

This, according to the police chief, is the same 1987 blue Chevrolet van that neighbors in and around the Aulander area had reported several times as suspicious and possibly linked to drug activity.

&uot;We also confiscated just over $1,000 in cash from the suspect,&uot; Barmer said.

Agents K. Gilliam of the Task Force began to research Pinner’s background and found this to be an alias, according to Barmer.

&uot;Through the investigation, we found that the suspect Pinner is actually Anthony Earl Clark of South Carolina.

&uot;Through the system, we received a photograph matching the suspect and a list of outstanding warrants from South Carolina that included probation violations,&uot; Barmer said.

The suspect will be extradited back to South Carolina.

Locally, Clark has been charged with possession of a firearm by felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance, resisting a public officer, injury to real property, larceny and proving false information to police officials.

Barmer said once Clark was apprehended and taking to the Bertie Sheriff’s Office, he asked to use the restroom.

While handcuffed, Barmer stated, Clark kicked through the bathroom window and fled on foot. He was apprehended a couple of blocks from the point of escape by Bertie Deputy J.L. Cooper.

Clark remains in custody at Bertie-Martin Regional under a $90,000 cash bond on the North Carolina charges and under no bond on the charges from South Carolina.

&uot;I am new to the position of police chief here in Aulander, but during my career as a law enforcement officer, I’ve worked hard to eliminate the use and sale of drugs from the neighborhoods I patrolled. I will do the same in this town,&uot; Barmer said.

&uot;I would like to thank the R-C Task Force and the Bertie Sheriff’s Office for their exhausted efforts. Without them, this would not have been possible simply for lack of manpower.

&uot;The teamwork and cooperation between these two departments, and working with my department is second to none,&uot; he said.

&uot;I also want to encourage the residents of Aulander to continue to let us know of suspected drug activity. I need your eyes and ears to help me because I cannot be everywhere every moment of the day.

&uot;I encourage the residents to call us and let us know these things. I’d rather you be wrong in your suspicions than to have our streets clouded by drug dealers because they know people are going to keep their mouths shut to their wrong doings,&uot; he added.