Chatmon

Warren County Drug Task Force investigators have arrested and charged a Buffalo man believed to be a crack cocaine dealer.

Demario Chatmon has been charged with possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and fleeing or attempting to elude officer.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, investigators received information that Chatmon “would be delivering approximately half an ounce of crack cocaine to a known subject in the area of the Warren Mall.”

Investigators then set up surveillance at the mall at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday night.

Just three minutes after arriving, “investigators observed (Chatmon) leaving the area in his vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the mall parking lot.”

Police explain in the affidavit that Chatmon then fled toward the theater at the mall, where a second law enforcement vehicle attempted to stop him.

Chatmon “also failed to stop for this vehicle, but was unable to maneuver his vehicle between the Movie Theater building and the law enforcement vehicle.”

That resulted in a minor collision between Chatmon’s vehicle and one of the law enforcement vehicles.

Chatmon then tried to flee on foot.

District Attorney Rob Greene said that K9 Choper chased the subject across Rt. 62 from the mall toward the Red Carpet Inn, and into the weeds after Chatmon refused to stop at gunpoint.

Police also contacted the subject that Chatmon met and a search revealed “approximately 12.9 grams of a white rock-like substance that was packaged in a clear plastic baggy.”

Investigators “know this substance has the same look and texture of cocaine. A field test of the substance resulted in a positive reading for the presence of cocaine.”

Greene said on Friday that the arrest was a “buy bust,” a one time deal where the transaction takes place and the arrest immediately follows. He said there is “reason to believe he’s a known dealer through Jamestown, NY and western Pennsylvania.”

Online court records show that Chatmon was arraigned on Friday and held in the Warren County Jail on $100,000 bail.