DRUGS, RIFLE SEIZED AFTER TRAFFIC STOP

A routine traffic stop yesterday morning on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield
County resulted in police seizing about nine pounds of marijuana and a
loaded AK-47 assault rifle.

But the driver of the vehicle, identified as Charles J. Patillo, 26, of
Richmond, ran away when State Trooper Michele Forker asked for permission
to search the 1990 Nissan Maxima. He remained at large last night.

However, the passenger, identified as Terrence Horatio Talley, 23, of
Philadelphia, stayed behind and was arrested on a charge of possession of
marijuana.

The incident began at 9:24 a.m. when Forker stopped the suspects' vehicle
for traveling 78 mph in the northbound lanes of I-95, just south of the
state Route 10 exit, said state police spokeswoman Mary Evans.

After Patillo fled, triggering a 4-hour search by state and Chesterfield
police, Forker found several marijuana cigars on the car's passenger
floorboard, a bag of marijuana hidden behind the rear seat and eight
plastic bags containing marijuana in the trunk, Evans said. The AK-47 rifle
also was in the trunk.

The vehicle, Evans said, was registered to a third party and had Virginia
plates.

Police used a helicopter in their search for Patillo but called off the
operation about 2 p.m.

Anyone with information about Patillo, whose last known address was the
First block of West Hill Street in Richmond, may call state police at
553-3445 or CrimeStoppers at 780-1000.