A Houston man, who mistakenly thought he could hide from Pearland Police in the woods by "playing possum", was arrested after a real opossum led officers right to him.
According to police reports, just after midnight on January 5, 2018, K-9 Officer Harton initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 4500 block of McHard Rd. After making contact with the driver and passenger, Officer Harton had the pair exit the vehicle and instructed both of them to stand in front of his police vehicle and place their hands on the hood.
The passenger, later identified as Darrell Levele Bell (34, Houston), suddenly took off on foot into the woods north of McHard, with Officers Harton and Karr in pursuit. A perimeter was set up, and Officer Harton and his K-9 partner Arko began a track. The suspect's scent led them to the southeast portion of the woods, where the terrain became too thick to effectively track further.
Another Officer (Akins) arrived shortly after and took position on the southeast side of the perimeter near the wood line. While Akins was searching the area, some movement caught his attention. He turned and located a opossum walking through the woods...And right next to the very helpful opossum was the suspect, Bell, lying on the ground.
Officer Akins quickly arrested the suspect without further incident.
Bell was charged with Evading Arrest and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
The female driver was arrested for Driving Without a License.