Man in custody after car chase in Boone County

A man is in custody Wednesday after leading authorities on a high-speed car chase through Boone County.

Columbia police attempted to chase a car reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour heading northbound on Highway 63. Police pulled back from the chase because it reached unsafe speeds.

Boone County Sheriff’s deputies then took over the pursuit and eventually the suspect headed south on Highway 63 toward Columbia. Deputies were able to stop the car near Peabody Road.

The man, 49-year-old Robert E. Coats, Jr., tried to flee on foot and hide in a field. Deputies found him trying to ingest drugs.

When Coats failed to comply with the deputies, a deputy used a Taser on him.

Deputies found crack cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and drug packaging in Coats’ personal items.

He was arrested on charges of intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.