MURFREESBORO – Hard work by the Murfreesboro Police Department has led to three drug related arrests here.

According to Police Chief Darrell Rowe, the three arrests were made over two-day period in two separate incidents. Rowe also noted the arrest of a convicted felon with a firearm was made in yet another incident.

Rowe said on Monday at approximately 4:16 p.m., Murfreesboro Narcotics Officer Lieutenant Joe Burgess stopped a vehicle in reference to information he received about the driver, Derick D. Smith.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Burgess asked Smith if he would step out of the car. Smith obliged to this and got out of the vehicle, but refused to give permission when the lieutenant asked to search the car.

Rowe said while patting down Smith for safety, Burgess noticed something sticking out of the suspect’s pants.

After more conversation between the two, Smith took off running.

Rowe said Burgess ordered Smith to stop. When the suspect refused, the lieutenant deployed a taser weapon and Smith was taken into custody without further incident.

A set of digital scales, a bag of 6.3 grams of powdered cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, a 12 gauge shot gun and a nine millimeter hand gun were among the items seized by Burgess and assisting officers Sergeant James Dilday and Joe Crisp.

Smith, 31, of Franklin, Va., was charged with possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, simple possession of marijuana and maintaining a vehicle to store cocaine.

Smith was transported to Hertford County Jail and placed under a $43,000 secured bond.

On Tuesday, MPD netted two more drug suspects.

Around 1 p.m., Burgess approached Jarrell D. Dunn and another suspect, Carlton Stephenson, at a local convenience store after receiving information about Dunn.

Rowe said subsequent to an investigation, two grams of crack cocaine was found on Stephenson.

Both men were taken into custody.

Stephenson, 31, of Como was charged with possession with the intent to manufacture, deliver and sell cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

He was taken to the Hertford County Jail and place under a $26,000 secured bond.

Dunn, 30, of Conway was charge with possession with the intent to manufacture, deliver and sell cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

He was taken to the Hertford County Jail and place under a $41,000 bond.

Burgess was assisted by Officer Crisp on this case.

Rowe also reported the Nov. 8 arrest of Dennis W. Deloatch, 54, of Conway.

Deloatch was taken into custody after Burgess stopped a pick-up truck with no operating break lights.

When Burgess approached, he noticed Deloatch was behind the wheel and a rifle on the seat beside him.

“He (Burgess) knew Deloatch was a convicted felon, who cannot be in possession of a firearm,” said Rowe.

Deloatch was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and placed under a $5,000 bond.

Burgess was assisted by Sergeant Dilday and Officer Chris Firkel on the arrest.

Rowe commended Lieutenant Burgess for his hard work as well as the assisting officers.