A 36-year-old Altus man, recently released from prison, was arrested early this morning by Altus police on drug related charges.

Michael Ron Hankins was taken into custody after trying to elude police officers.

Altus Police Chief Mike Patterson said officers were on routine patrol at about 3 a.m. in the area of the Humphreys Co-op in east Altus, an area where anhydrous ammonia is stored in some buildings.

Officers David Dowdy and Ryan Gilbert were traveling on a back road when they noticed an individual kneeling on the ground. When they ordered the man to approach them, he ran away. A foot pursuit began and that man went into the passenger side of a car on Poplar Street and left the scene.

Officer Vincent Kelsey joined the pursuit in a car and stopped the vehicle and Hankins was taken into custody without resistance. No other arrests were made.

Patterson said materials consistent with making an methamphetamine lab were found at the site near the Humphreys Co-Op.

Hankins faces a charge of aggravated manufacturing of methamphetamines. He was released from the Department of Corrections on parole from a drug related conviction.

He is expected to make his initial appearance in Jackson County District Court this afternoon.