Man caught with ounce of meth pleads not guilty

A Santa Ana man arrested in Costa Mesa with an ounce of methamphetamines and on two outstanding warrants pleaded not guilty to a number of drug charges and resisting arrest when he appeared in court Wednesday, authorities said.

At 11 p.m. Tuesday, Francisco Chacon, 25, was taken into custody after he tried to run from officers who pulled him over near Baker Street and Fairview Road, police said.

After he was pulled over, Chacon bailed out of the car, but the officers caught up to him, Sgt. Bryan Glass said. The officers found the methamphetamines nearby, police said.

Chacon is being held without bail on suspicion of transporting narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent for sale and fleeing a police officer, in addition to the outstanding warrants, Glass said. Both of those were for drug charges, including one that alleges he assaulted an officer and one that includes suspicion of assaulting an officer, Glass said.

— Kelly Strodl