Twin Falls Man Accused of Trying to Swallow Evidence

TWIN FALLS, Idaho, (KMVT/KSVT) – A Twin Falls man who allegedly eluded officers Sunday was later found attempting to destroy evidence by eating it. Austin Gardner, 21, was charged with felony concealment of evidence, eluding a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance after leading an officer on a pursuit Sunday after allegedly running a red light.

Gardner was arraigned in Twin Falls County court Monday and his preliminary hearing is set for April 22, bond is set at $15,000. On April 10 at about 12:54 p.m. a police officer was turning left onto Eastland Drive North, when a red pickup truck, traveling at about 40 miles per hour allegedly blew through a red light eastward at the intersection of Addison Avenue East and Eastland Drive North, according to court documents.

During the pursuit, court documents stated Gardner allegedly passed another vehicle on the right near the 2300 block of Addison Avenue East while traveling at about 50 mph. The officer followed Gardner to a residence on the 600 block of Meadowview Lane and immediately placed Gardner under arrest for eluding an officer.

When at the sally port of the Twin Falls County Jail, an officer had Gardner spit out the contents in his mouth. The items later tested positive for methamphetamine and marijuana. Gardner was believed to be allegedly attempting to destroy evidence by eating it.