An Oil City woman escaped from police custody following a traffic stop Friday in Oil City.
Franklin state police said they stopped a vehicle Friday night on Relief Street in Oil City that was driven by Edward Smith, 43, of Oil City. Police said Smith gave them a false name and date of birth.
When police searched the vehicle they found a “large amount” of methamphetamine on the floor on the driver’s side as well as a plastic bottle with white residue on the floor, police said.
Smith and a passenger in the vehicle, Megan Slater, 36, of Oil City, ran from police when they tried to take them into custody, police said.
Police said they apprehended Slater first and placed her in the back of a police car. Shortly afterward, police caught Smith and when they returned to the police car with him they found that Slater had escaped from the vehicle, police said.
Police said they searched the area for Slater but were unable to find her.
Smith has been charged with a felony count of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and false identification to a law enforcement officer, and three summary traffic violations.
Smith was arraigned Monday before district judge Patrick Lowrey and placed in the Venango County jail with bail denied on the grounds that he is a flight risk and has multiple outstanding warrants.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 16 in Central Court.
Slater has been charged with felony counts of escape and manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.
Police are asking that anyone with information about Slater’s whereabouts contact Franklin state police.
