A 24 year old Rome resident is listed in critical condition at Floyd Medical Center after allegedly swallowing three bags of methamphetamine, following an altercation with another individual and a chase with police officers.

Clifford Eugene Lindsey III was reportedly involved in an altercation with another man Tuesday, at Sammys Grocery and Lindsey is accused of cutting the other individual with a knife – causing major bleeding – before fleeing on foot.

He was spotted a short time later near Elm Street School and was taken into custody by police; it was at that time he began complaining of breathing problems, and told officers he had swallowed the drugs.

The victim in the altercation with Lindsey was found lying in the grocery store parking lot with a belt tied around his leg to stop the bleeding; he told police that the fight started over a cell phone, and other belongings, which he had left at Lindsey’s home; the unnamed man was then taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released.

A large hunting knife was recovered from the roof of a home on South Sycamore Street.

Lindsey was charged with felony aggravated assault and willful obstruction of a law enforcement official.

(Coosa Valley News)