Published: May 19, 2009 09:19 pm      

Man who eluded officers turns himself in Tuesday

A 30-year-old Palestine man who eluded authorities Friday night during the course of a traffic stop and also allegedly injured an officer turned himself in Tuesday afternoon at the Anderson County Jail.

Equinn Rhodes, 30, of Palestine turned himself in around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Anderson County Jail, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.

Rhodes, who was already wanted on a parole violation, additionally was charged with assault on a peace officer after allegedly scuffling with an Anderson County sheriff’s deputy who was in the process of placing him under arrest shortly after 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to the sheriff.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, Rhodes was being held in lieu of “no bond” on a “blue warrant,” or parole violation, and had a $100,000 bond on the assault charge, according to the sheriff.

Authorities are also considering filing additional charges against Rhodes, including resisting arrest or detention and evading arrest or detention, Taylor added.

Around 8:35 p.m. Friday, authorities have said a vehicle operated by a 51-year-old Palestine man was stopped at the intersection of Kolstad and Sycamore streets for a traffic violation.

It was subsequently determined that Rhodes, who was one of two other passengers in the vehicle, had a “blue warrant” for a parole violation, according to Taylor.

Sheriff’s deputy Lee Duren had secured a handcuff around Rhodes’ right wrist when the suspect “began to jerk violently” and ultimately broke away from the officer, knocking him down in the process, according to Taylor.

Duren sustained a fractured finger on his left hand and a contusion to his head during the scuffle, according to the sheriff.

Five units representing multiple agencies attempted to locate Rhodes, but were unsuccessful in their efforts, according to Taylor. Authorities believe he may have disappeared into an area residence.

Taylor said Rhodes was not wearing the handcuff when he turned himself in at the jail Tuesday afternoon.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com