High-speed chase results in marijuana seizure

A late-night high-speed chase up Highway 395 along Topaz Lake late Sunday night resulted in the seizure of 4.2 pounds of dried marijuana and 23.1 pounds of marijuana plants.

Douglas and Mono deputies were involved in the seizure after a Mono County deputy spotted a vehicle crossing the double yellow line in Coleville at about 11:30 p.m.

The deputy turned on his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop when the driver of the vehicle, identified as James Robert Rigs, 23, of Weldon, Calif., turned off his lights and accelerated to speeds of up to 85 mph along the winding highway leading to the Nevada state line.

During the pursuit, Riggs crossed over the yellow line into the opposite lane several times.

The pursuing Mono deputy alerted Douglas he was heading north.

After crossing the state line, Riggs drove onto a dirt road, where he collided with several boulders.

Riggs jumped out of the car and fled the scene, with the Mono County deputy hot on his heels.

Douglas County deputies arrived in time to help the Mono officer take Riggs, who resisted and had to be tased, into custody.

Riggs was allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana when he was taken into custody.

He reportedly told officers that he had been using methamphetamine for the past three days and smoked marijuana earlier in the day.

An inventory of Riggs' vehicle revealed the marijuana. More paraphernalia related to the packaging and sales of marijuana was also discovered in the vehicle.

Riggs was subsequently booked at the Douglas County Minden Jail on charges of DUI - Drugs, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, Possession for of Marijuana for Sales, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Driving with a Suspended/Revoked License. His bail is set at $14,985.