Man reportedly found with cocaine and marijuana after early morning police chase

IDAHO FALLS — A 36-year-old Rigby man was arrested early Thursday morning after police say he led them on a high-speed chase and was eventually caught with cocaine and marijuana.

Corey Michael Ogea is charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana, two counts of eluding officers, and reckless driving.

According to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, around 1 a.m., deputies were told to be on the lookout for Ogea, who had been reported earlier to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as “possibly being suicidal and was believed to be traveling on 25th East heading to the hospital.”

At 1:15 a.m., a deputy located Ogea’s car near 25th East and 17th Street, and began following him to see if he was going to the hospital.

Ogea reportedly drove past both hospitals on Channing Way to Sunnyside Road, so the deputy initiated a traffic stop.

Ogea was driving slowly on Sunnyside and eventually stopped at 25th East. As the deputy approached the car, Ogea reportedly drove away, ignoring commands to stop. Due to slick road conditions and Ogea’s driving behavior, the deputy did not chase him then and advised other patrol units of Ogea’s location, according to the news release.

Soon, another deputy reportedly saw Ogea speeding on 25th East near Dearold Avenue, running red lights and crossing over multiple lanes of traffic. That deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop but discontinued for safety reasons due to road conditions.

Deputies then learned from Jefferson County deputies that earlier, Ogea had been arguing with a woman before leaving in the car. Ogea reportedly seemed “paranoid and made statements that he believed people were following him and that he may have overdosed,” according to the release.

Deputies in the area of the hospitals reportedly saw Ogea driving in the area, but when he saw patrol cars, he would speed up and drive away.

At 4:45 a.m., deputies reportedly saw Ogea “driving recklessly through parking lots adjacent to 17th Street and 25th East.”

“Because commuting traffic in the area had increased along with businesses and snow removal personnel beginning operations, deputies and Idaho Falls Police officers coordinated to stop Mr. Ogea by successfully deploying spike strips as he attempted to pull onto 17th Street from a parking lot,” says the release.

Ogea reportedly pulled into the Al’s Sporting Good parking lot and stopped his car. Deputies were able to take him into custody without incident. According to the release, an Idaho Falls Police K-9 checked Ogea’s car for the presence of illegal drugs.

Deputies also searched the car, and say they seized “a small amount of marijuana and cocaine.” Ogea was then arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail.

“As part of the booking process, Ogea will undergo a screening and evaluation to determine appropriate medical and mental health needs while in custody,” says the release.