Man accused of running from Columbus police

A Columbus man was arrested Friday after allegedly fleeing from police.

Sgt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, said that officers were called to a downtown restaurant at just before 7 p.m. Friday on a report of a customer acting suspiciously.

When officers arrived the man, identified as 32-year-oldĀ Vern E. Purtlebaugh allegedly ran from police and into a vehicle in the parking lot. As officers caught up to him, they allegedly noticed a syringe on the floor of his vehicle.

He was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and possession of a legend drug injection device.