Man Found Hiding in Bedroom Closet

An Augusta man was found hiding in a bedroom closet this week after fleeing from a deputy who was investigating minor traffic offenses, according to a sheriff's report.

Instead of stopping, 40-year-old Darrell Mincey allegedly led the officer on a wild chase back to his trailer, where the deputy found him hiding in the closet. The officer also marijuana in a residence occupied with young children.

Needless to say, the suspect went from minor traffic charges to a list of 11 charges that include reckless driving, fleeing police, leaving the scene of an accident, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and marijuana possession. In addition, the suspect's brilliant move led police to charge a woman in the house with lying to police and marijuna possession.

The incident began Monday night when Deputy James Ouzts put on his emergency lights and tried to stop Mr. Mincey along Dean's Bridge Road. The suspect did an immediate U-turn and drove his 1999 Ford Crown Victoria into Mars Mobile Home Park, where he "drove reckless and almost hit numerous vehicles cars as well as mobile homes before stopping at his residence," a report states.

The suspect then ran inside, abandoning the car with a 3-year-old boy unrestrained in the vehicle. The officer went inside and asked resident Alisa Parsons if any other adult was in the house. She said no, but the deputy found Mr. Mincey in the closet.

The officer also spotted marijuana in plain view on a table and a television stand "within arms reach" of two children, ages 2 and 3. Ms. Parsons was arrested on charges of obstruction, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and marijuana possession. The children were turned over to the custody of their aunt.

Mr. Mincey remains in jail today. Ms. Parsons has been released on bond.