A suspected drug dealer was captured after a short but lively chase in West Redding Thursday morning. Redding’s Neighborhood Police Unit was doing patrols on off-road motorcycles when they stopped to check on the 7-11 on Eureka Way. While they were there, 31-year-old Joseph Pearson pulled into the lot and parked. Officers recognized him because they had arrested him in March and they knew he was on felony probation out of Sacramento County for evading. The officers were going to take the opportunity to do a probation search of Pearson but as they approached him, he apparently shifted into reverse and pulled out, nearly striking one of the officers. Before the car peeled out of the lot, another officer pulled out a knife and used it to flatten on of the rear tires. As the car was leaving, a patrol supervisor was just pulling in and he pursued the fleeing car northbound on West Street. During the chase, witnesses reported seeing Pearson throw items out the window which turned out to be an ounce of heroin and a gram-and-a-half of cocaine. At the four-way stop at 11th and West Street Pearson reportedly forced another car into oncoming traffic in an attempt to elude his pursuers. He surrendered on 10th Street. Police say a search of the car turned up scales, packaging and a substantial amount of cash. Pearson was booked on several charges.