MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A convicted felon is facing multiple drug and weapons charges after police found a handgun and over 400 grams of marijuana in his backpack.

Romeo Beason, 29, was charged with Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Evading Arrest on Foot, Obstruction of Highway/Passageway, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Prohibited Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana with Intent.

On Aug. 4, at around 8:30 p.m., officers were searching for a wanted person in the area of Suncrest Street and Smith Ridge Road.

Police said they saw a Beason walking on the road who resembled the wanted person.

When officers tried to approach the man and identify him as Beason, he ran on Smith Ridge Road.

According to reports, detectives chased the suspect and told him to stop, but he kept running.

  • Romeo Beason getting arrested Courtesy of MPD

After the chase, Beason was taken into custody and identified outside a home in the block of 2500 Smith Ridge Road.

Before he was taken into custody, Beason took off a backpack and threw it on the ground.

“There was just a little weed inside and the gun that’s in my pants,” said Beason.

  • Courtesy of MPD

During the search, officers found a loaded handgun with eight live rounds in the magazine.

They found a machine gun device on the rear of the slide and a small bag that had 2.6 grams of marijuana in his pocket.

Officers also found a gallon-sized bag containing 388.7 grams of marijuana, two small bags that had 12.8 grams of marijuana, one bag with multi-colored pills, one bottle of promethazine, one digital scale, and several empty bags.

Beason’s bond has been set at $50,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 14.