Suspect was out on bond at time of arrest
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Tryon Police Department arrested a Tryon man Monday, April 30 following a foot chase in Columbus on firearm charges.
Gary Lee Thomas, 32, of 27 Fred Lyles Circle, Tryon was arrested and charged with two counts of felony possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of felony possession of a stolen firearm, misdemeanor resisting a public officer and driving while license revoked, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Thomas was out on bond from the Polk County Jail on charges of possession of firearm by a felon and cocaine charges following a January arrest, according to reports.
Narcotics officers from the sheriff’s office and Tryon Police Department noticed Thomas driving, and they knew his license had been permanently suspended. The officers initiated a traffic stop along U.S. 74 near Columbus and Thomas came to a stop just before exit 162, according to sheriff reports.
Thomas ran from the vehicle, carrying a box. The sheriff’s officer secured another subject in the vehicle and the Tryon officer pursued Thomas on foot. Thomas dropped the box, which was retrieved by officers. Thomas was later apprehended by another sheriff’s officer exiting the woods along Peake Street in Columbus, according to sheriff’s office reports.
The box contained two handguns, one of which was reported stolen from a Polk County resident, according to the police report.
Thomas is a convicted felon, officers said, and is not allowed to own or possess firearms.
Thomas was given a $51,000 bond and as of Tuesday, May 1 was still being held at the Polk County Jail.