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A Milton, Fla. man was arrested March 1 on possession and attempting to elude charges, according to the Atmore Police Department.

Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said in a release that Justin Ward, 35, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana II.

McMann said at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, an APD officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Bell fork Road in reference to suspicious activity.

“The driver of the vehicle (Ward) accelerated at a high rate of speed even though the officer activated his emergency blue lights and siren,” McMann said. “Ward exceeded speeds of 80 miles per hour before crashing into a ditch.”

McMann said Ward was taken into custody and checked by EMS, adding that he was not injured.

“A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana and items commonly used to ingest narcotics,” McMann said.

Ward was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.