LAPLACE — A shoplifting alert led to a LaPlace foot chase and the suspect attempting to swallow suspected drug bags and foot stomping white substances into the concrete, authorities said.

The drama began when St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to The Home Depot at approximately 4 p.m. Aug. 9. Officers encountered a man running through the parking lot who refused to stop when commanded to do so. A foot pursuit continued onto U.S. 51, where officers saw the man open a large plastic bag and dump “a clear white substance onto the road, then trip and fall.”

As the man attempted to flee again, he was detained and identified as 30-year-old Joshlee Jamaine Wilson of LaPlace.

“Wilson continued to resist officers as he ripped open plastic bags in his hand, smashed the clear white substance on the concrete and attempted to ingest several unopened bags of the substance,” a Sheriff’s Office release said.

Additional deputies arrived and Wilson was taken into custody. Officers reported recovering approximately nine grams of crystal methamphetamine.

During a search of Wilson’s vehicle, police said they located a handgun concealed in a designer bag, adding Wilson, a convicted felon, is on probation.

Wilson was taken to University Medical Center, where he was treated, released and booked into parish jail the next day.

He is being held in custody in lieu of a $408,750 bond, charged with resisting an officer by flight, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.