Man Held on $3 Million Bond After Birmingham Citgo Crash Following Police Chase; Drugs and Guns Seized

A Bessemer man is being held on a $3 million bond after leading authorities on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash at a Birmingham gas station, where he was found in possession of illegal drugs and firearms.

Bryant Lamar Robertson, 37, faces multiple charges, including trafficking fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, felony fleeing and eluding, and illegal firearm possession.

The incident unfolded shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday when the Jefferson County Vice and Narcotics Unit, investigating narcotics complaints in the Pratt City area, attempted to stop Robertson’s blue Ford Edge for running a stop sign, according to sheriff’s spokesman Henry Irby.

When deputies activated their emergency lights, Robertson fled, leading to a pursuit that ended when he crashed at the Citgo gas station on Ensley 5-Points West Avenue. During the pursuit, a sheriff’s office SUV also crashed into a gas pump.

Robertson was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital as a precaution, though he showed no visible injuries. Medics on-site and later at a hospital evaluated both detectives involved in the chase.

Authorities seized 492 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of cocaine, 26 grams of fentanyl, 48 grams of heroin, and 18 grams of a fentanyl/methamphetamine mixture. They also recovered two stolen firearms, five cell phones, three digital scales, baggies, a backpack, and a fanny pack.

“I am very excited that our deputies were able to seize the dangerous drugs and weapons that were heading to the streets of Jefferson County,’’ said Sheriff Mark Pettway. “The complaints of our citizens have not gone unnoticed.”