By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Police officials say a Salisbury man was found with marijuana, a large sum of cash, and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop on South Arlington Street. The man took police on a short foot chase and ditched over $2,000 into a trash can, police said.

Kevin Lamont Hayes, 40, of the 1200 block of South Railroad Street, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture Schedule VI; misdemeanor resisting, delaying or obstructing a police officer; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to police, officers discovered the license plate was fictitious on a gold Chevrolet traveling toward South Arlington Street and Freeland Drive. Police tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver ran from the area of Papa John’s Pizza toward El Patron Mexican Grill & Cantina. He tried to gain access to one of the businesses through a rear employee exit, but the door had no outside handle, officials said.

Upon checking the vehicle, police found some Wild Turkey Bourbon; 1 gram of marijuana in the center console; two black digital scales; and 271 grams of marijuana wrapped in plastic. Officers also found 129 grams of plastic-wrapped bundles in a jacket, along with a Mason jar with digital scales and a marijuana grinder.

Police looked at surveillance video from El Patron and saw Hayes empty his pockets and place something into a nearby trash can. Police went back and found $2,345 in the trash can.

Hayes told the officer he is a good person and that he has seven children to support. He said he does not see anything wrong with selling marijuana because it comes from the ground, said Police Capt. Shelia Lingle.

Hayes has been released under a $6,000 secured bond.