By Shay Lelonek / News Director

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — A St. Cloud man is in custody after he fled from police and crashed his vehicle while having suspected methamphetamine and a handgun.

Around 5:20 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, a St. Cloud Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a seatbelt and turn signal violation.

After attempting the stop, the vehicle, driven by 44-year-old Vernon Spoden, drove off in an attempt to avoid the officer.

Officers began pursuing the vehicle with lights and sirens. While fleeing, Spoden’s vehicle hit several parked, unoccupied cars before driving into a yard and crashing into the porch of a house in the 1000 block of 15th Avenue South in St. Cloud.

According to the media release from SCPD, Spoden attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by officers.

After the crash, officers searched Spoden’s vehicle and found a large amount of suspected methamphetamine and other controlled substances, a handgun with ammunition, and equipment consistent with drug sales.

Spoden was transported to the St. Cloud hospital for minor injuries and assessment before being brought to the Stearns County Jail to be held on charges related to the pursuit.

The case is still active and remains under investigation.