Two jailed on drug charges

The Port Arthur News

BEAUMONT November 06, 2008 03:25 pm

— Two Beaumont police officers were forced to jump out of the path of a vehicle they were attempting to detain after witnessing a drug deal.
The incident occurred at 12:29 a.m. Thursday as officers were conducting surveillance in the Krogers parking lot, 3900 Phelan
While there officers saw a white male exit a white Chevrolet truck and get into the back seat of a white Chevrolet Impala that was occupied by a black male. The two men completed a drug transaction, police said in a press release.
Officers moved in to arrest the two men and the white male jumped into his truck and sped away from the scene. Two officers were forced to jump out of the path of the truck to safety.
The truck made contact with the hand of Officer Brad Beaulieu. Officer Beaulieu fired one round into drivers door of the truck and the truck sped away. After a brief chase, the driver of the truck abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot at Dollinger and Seventh Street. He was quickly apprehended and taken to a local hospital and treated for ingesting crack cocaine.
The suspect, 41-year-old Daniel Rubero of Vidor, was arrested for aggravated assault on a peace officer, evading detention in a motor vehicle and a warrant for DWI.
The occupant of the Impala, 20-year-old Wendall James Kirtman of Beaumont, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
As per departmental procedure, Beaulieu has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.