3 more arrested from drug raid

By Laura Johnson | Alex City Outlook

Published Tuesday, June 30, 2009

This weekend Alexander City Police have arrested a string of suspects, including one for attempted murder of an officer and two for drug trafficking, in connection with a drug seizure that netted more than $40,000 cash, cocaine, and multiple firearms last week.

Brothers LaBrandon “Brandon” Lewis, 22, and Renardo Martez Lewis, 20, turned themselves in to agents at the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force in the days following the raid, which occurred June 23 at their home located at 2323 County Road. Authorities arrested their 41-year-old mother, Geraldine Lewis, on drug charges during the seizure, but the brothers fled police and were not arrested until they later turned themselves in.

Renardo Lewis turned himself into agents Thursday, but his brother, LaBrandon Lewis, was still at large late Saturday when authorities tried to make a traffic stop that led to an attempted murder charge.

Police said they initiated the stop because they believed that their relative, Benny Bernard Lewis, 46, of 423 Springhill Road was traveling with LaBrandon Lewis in his Chevrolet pick-up truck.

“We suspected one of those suspects from that (drug raid) was in that truck,” Capt. Robert Miller said.

During the traffic stop, the passenger, which authorities believed was LaBrandon Lewis, fled while Benny Lewis attempted to run over the two officers at the scene, Miller said.

One of the officers responded by firing a single shot at Benny Lewis. The lone bullet struck the pickup, but no one, neither the officers nor the suspect, was injured during the incident Miller said.

Authorities never positively identified the passenger as LaBrandon Lewis but continue to investigate the incident.

“The task force was looking for LaBrandon once the incident happened initially,” Alexander City Police Chief Charles Rafford said. “He knew he was going to get caught sooner or later, it was just a matter of time.”

LaBrandon Lewis had recently been placed on probation after pleading guilty to drug charges earlier this month. He is also facing pending drug charges in Alexander City, which stem from a prior incident.

He was arrested on felony warrants for trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana first degree, possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violation.

Renardo Lewis was charged with trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana first degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

They are currently being held at the Tallapoosa County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.

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