Officer Christopher Eldridge Charged with Possession of Controlled Substance

An off-duty Prattville police officer was arrested on drug charges Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery following a car chase.

Christopher Eldridge, 35, of the 600 block of Wisteria Lane in Prattville, was charged with possession of a controlled substance in addition to misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, said Maj. Huey Thornton, a spokesman for the Montgomery Police Department.

Thornton said the controlled substance was crack cocaine. Eldridge also was issued “several” traffic citations, according to Thornton.

Prattville Mayor Jim Byard Jr. confirmed Thursday that Eldridge is a third-shift patrol officer with the Prattville Police Department. Byard said Eldridge was off duty due to military leave.

“Right now this is a personal and legal matter the officer has to work through,” Byard said. “In the future, it will become a personnel issue for the city. We don’t comment on personnel or pending personnel matters.”

Eldridge could not be reached for comment Thursday morning. There is no number listed for him in the Prattville phone book. Directory assistance listed a “C. Eldridge” on Wisteria Lane, but that number is unpublished at the owner’s request.

Prattville Police Chief Alfred Wadsworth said he would not comment until he had a chance to speak with Eldridge.

Eldridge allegedly was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala the wrong way in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85, Thornton said. A Montgomery police officer tried to pull him over, but he led police on a chase, he said. The pursuit never exceeded 50 mph, he said.

Police pursued Eldridge as he exited the interstate at Day Street and went through downtown Montgomery to Atlanta Highway, Thornton said. When the chase neared Greenwood Funeral Home on Lincoln Road, the pursuing patrol car tapped the back of Eldridge’s vehicle, which spun out, Thornton said.

Eldridge then became combative with officers and was hit with a Taser, Thornton said. He was taken by ambulance to Jackson Hospital for treatment, Thornton said.

Eldridge was booked into the Montgomery County Jail at 6 p.m. Wednesday and released on bonds totaling $16,000 at 8:07 p.m. Wednesday, said Montgomery County Sheriff D.T. Marshall.