Man accused of trying to swallow meth bag when questioned by officers

A man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of several charges, including attempting to swallow a baggie of drugs officers found in his pockets, police said.  

Eric R. Tysick, 37, was booked into Pinal County on suspicion of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence and misconduct with weapons, according to Maricopa Police and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to the probable-cause statement: 

At 2:48 p.m. on Oct. 30, officers responded to West James Lane in Homestead on a report of a man and woman fighting in the street. 

When officers arrived, witnesses pointed down North Jill Avenue, where Tysick was seen running.  Tysick was found lying behind a car on a driveway on West Ganley Way, where he was detained, according to police. 

A check on Tysick revealed an extraditable warrant in Yuma County on a felony probation violation. 

Officers searched Tysick’s pockets, and reportedly found a container with 29 blue M30 pills, commonly known as fentanyl. A prescription bottle with Tysick’s name on it contained a plastic straw with a small piece of plastic containing a white substance, which later tested positive as 0.4 grams of methamphetamine, police said. They added they found a piece of foil with burnt residue in a cigarette container. 

Officers showed Tysick the items they found in his possession and began asking questions, when, police say, Tysick  grabbed the baggie of methamphetamine and placed it into his mouth, in a suspected attempt to swallow it, they say. Officers were able to pry the drugs from his mouth. 

Police said Tysick told them he was trying to get rid of the suspected drugs because he did not want to be charged with them. 

While speaking with officers, Tysick reportedly admitted to taking possession of two firearms from his girlfriend during their initial altercation. The two firearms were reported to be a Taurus .357 and a Hellcat 9mm handgun.  

Tysick stated that he eventually gave the guns back to his girlfriend, but kept the ammunition, which officers found in his pocket following the arrest. The man is a convicted felon, police said, adding that he is aware that he is forbidden from possessing firearms. 

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