A driver allegedly trying to elude LaGrange police found himself in a sticky situation — and a whole lot of trouble after his car got stuck in mud.

A LaGrange Police Department officer reported that he noticed the car had a tag light out while on patrol around 11:15 p.m. Thursday near Mooty Bridge and New Franklin roads. The officer said he attempted to catch up to the car, but said it was speeding up and went through the Beechwood Village parking lot off Commerce Avenue.

According to the report, the officer did not chase the car, but followed as it drove through Shadowlawn Cemetery onto Beeman Street. At that point, the officer said the driver turned off his headlights and was speeding through the neighborhood in a reckless manner.

As the officer called for back up, he said the car attempted to go through the back yard of a residence and over an embankment. Instead, the vehicle became stuck in mud.

According to the report, the driver then fled on foot, but other responding officers found him hiding in some woods from police. He was arrested.

Officers said they could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the suspect’s clothing. One officer said he found a large, clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana that was an arm’s-length distance from where the man was laying in the woods.

Another officer stated he found a set of digital scales laying one step away from the driver’s door of the car as it was being moved by a wrecker service. The top to one of the scales was found wedged between the seat and the center console inside the car, stated the report.

The suspect was charged with fleeing to elude, driving while license suspended, obstruction, marijuana with intent to distribute and reckless driving. He also received a warning for a tag light violation.

Gang graffiti found in motel room

A local motel clerk was upset when she found more than art on the walls of one of the building’s rooms.

The clerk at the Super 8 motel on Patillo Road called LPD Wednesday after she saw what appeared to be gang signs written on the wall of a hotel room.

She told police a female subject had just checked out of the room.

Investigators noted that it appeared that more than one person had been staying in the room. Detectives found several drink cups, an Alabama vehicle tag and some type of gang graffiti that said “East Side Gang.”

Hotel staff estimated damage at more than $300.

Man cited for breach of peace

One man learned a hard lesson about using swear words in front of small children when he ended up in handcuffs by a LaGrange officer.

LPD officers were serving a warrant and arresting the man’s brother at the Wood Glen Apartments around 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The man became upset over the arrest and started loudly using obscene language where small children under 5 years old could hear, the police report stated.

An officer said he warned the man to lower his voice, quit using foul language in a public area and was advised to leave the area.

The man continued using obscenities and disregarded the request, so the officer said he took him into custody for city ordinance violation obscenities.

According to the report, after being placed in handcuffs, the man calmed down and officers were able to explain to him why his brother was arrested. The man said he understood and apologized for his behavior. He was cited for the city violation.