Man jailed for cocaine, resisting

GONZALES — A local man ended up behind bars after police said he refused to let officers search him and took off running — only to be caught with illegal drugs.

At 11:32 p.m. Jan. 11, Officer Jonathan Lorton was patrolling the 800 block of Church St. when he saw a man identified as David Leroy Buirst Jr., 38, of Gonzales, walking northbound on the right side of the road — walking with traffic instead of against it. After stopping Buirst to speak with him the officer noticed he appeared to be nervous, Capt. Allen Taylor said.

Lorton also noticed Buirst had a black folding knife in his back pocket, and asked him to place his hands on the patrol car to check him for additional weapons. Buirst then began arguing with the officer, refusing to allow the search. When Lorton reached for him Buirst took off running, and when Lorton caught up to him Buirst resisted arrest — leading to the officer having to drive stun him.

Sgt. J.D. Holt arrived on the scene and conducted a search of Buirst which led to the discovery of crack cocaine and marijuana. Buirst was arrested and taken to Gonzales County Jail. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

On Jan. 15, Sgt. Holt was patrolling the 1100 block of Ainsworth St. when he saw a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Recognizing the driver, Holt remembered the man had a warrant for his arrest. As Officer Ryan Salles arrived at the scene Holt arrested the man on the warrant.

One of the vehicle’s passengers, identified as Anthony Wayne Sullivan, 20, of Gonzales, became irate and started cursing the officers. A woman in the vehicle was also arrested after officers learned she had a warrant for her arrest, Taylor said.

Sullivan then became more agitated and suddenly walked into the house at that address. 

“Apparently, Sullivan’s mother appeared to need medical assistance so EMS was dispatched to the location to tend to her,” Taylor said. “When Sullivan came back outside he was carrying two kitchen knives — one in each hand.”

Sullivan moved toward toward Holt in what Taylor described to be “in an aggressive and threatening manner.” 

Holt then withdrew his handgun and ordered Sullivan to drop the knives, and Sullivan did as he was told. Sullivan was arrested and taken to Gonzales County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant.