Law enforcement agencies join high-speed pursuit

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, May 18, 2022

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A high-speed pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies that began Tuesday afternoon in Gantt ended in Conecuh County with the arrest of a suspect.

According to Gantt Police Chief Ken Harris, the incident began when an Officer Clay Conway spotted a Lexus with no license plate leaving Vinny’s Convenience Store on Hwy. 29. Conway stopped the vehicle and the driver produced a bill of sale and other paperwork, but no driver’s license. At a point during the stop, the driver drove away from the scene, which began a pursuit involving multiple Gantt police officers.

The driver of the Lexus traveled south toward Andalusia at a high rate of speed. Gantt police vehicles were soon joined by other law enforcement, including the Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office, River Falls Police Department, and members of the Covington County Drug Task Force.

During the pursuit, the suspect drove into the PowerSouth parking lot where he jumped a curb and drove across the landscaped area entering the Bellwood Subdivision. The driver followed First Avenue Bellwood to the bypass where he turned west onto the MLK Expressway, continuing west to River Falls.

Harris said the driver was traveling toward Conecuh County at a very dangerous rate of speed and the decision was made to end the pursuit for the safety of other drivers.

A Be-On-the-Lookout was issued for the driver and vehicle. He was later arrested in Conecuh County where it was learned he had warrants against him in Prattville, Alabama.

The name of the suspect was not confirmed as of deadline. Harris said the suspect will face multiple charges from his department, which have yet to be finalized, but would include attempting to elude, reckless endangerment and multiple citations.

Chief Harris said that one of his department’s vehicle suffered minor damage when an officer lost control at the intersection of Hwy. 29 and Redberry Road. State Troopers worked that scene. Two officers in that vehicle were not injured.

Harris said he appreciated the support of the local agencies that assisted in the pursuit.