BLANCHESTER — Blanchester Police Ptl. Ian Courtney stopped a blue SUV on East Cherry Street for a broken windshield violation Monday, but there was to be more in store for the officer.

When the SUV stopped, the driver fled on foot and Courtney gave chase. He apprehended the man a short time later behind the nearby Cherrywood apartments and placed him under arrest.

The man was identified as David Moses, 28, of Pleasant Plain. Two hypodermic needles were found in his pants pocket, and Moses admitted he is a heroin addict. As Courtney was speaking with him, he tried to flee again, but unsuccessfully, stated a press release from BPD.

Courtney learned the Clermont County Sheriff Office held a warrant for Moses’ arrest for grand theft of a motor vehicle. The SUV he was driving was checked to make sure it wasn’t stolen, and it was not, Blanchester police said.

The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office had no one available to come and pick up Moses, so he was taken to the Clinton County Jail to await extradition to Clermont County.

He will also be charged with possessing drug abuse instruments and resisting arrest, stemming upon his alleged conduct during the traffic stop.

“If drug addiction is truly a disease, it would appear its symptoms include vehicle theft and running from the police,” Blanchester Police Chief Scott Reinbolt stated in the press release.