Police Find Half-Pound of Pot,$15,000 In Cash After ATV Chase

A man faces drug charges after leading police on a chase with his ATV in Lebanon, allegedly with pot and cash in his possession.

State Police say the incident started when Trooper Patrick Hall tried to pull over a Side by Side ATV on Route 202 in Lebanon for a routine traffic stop. The ATV, driven by 41-year-old Dennis Laing of North Berwick, took off, driving on the wrong side of the road. At that point, Hall terminated the pursuit, for safety reasons.

After receiving reports of an ATV operating at a high rate of speed, nearly hitting other riders, Trooper Hall was able to locate Laing on Depot Road and take him into custody. Officials say Laing had a revoked driver's license and was out on bail from prior charges of kidnapping and tampering with a witness out of York County. A roadside investigation turned up $14,674.00 in suspected drug proceeds and approximately a half-pound of marijuana, as well as 47 marijuana concentrated capsules. Corporal Adam Schmidt and Trooper Ryan DuBois assisted with the stop.

Laing was taken to the York County Jail, charged with Operating after Revocation due to Habitual Offender, Violation of Conditions of Release, Trafficking in Marijuana, and Failure to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer. The case has gone to the District Attorney's Office for review, with recommendations of additional charges, including Driving to Endanger, Obstructing Government Administration, Falsifying Physical Evidence, Operating an Unregistered ATV, and Operating an ATV on a Public Way. Laing is due to make his first court appearance on Monday.