Three Horatio men are facing felony charges after leading local law enforcement on a high speed motorcycle pursuit yesterday afternoon. According to the Sevier County Sheriffs Office, Deputies Chad Dowdle and Chris Wolcott were patrolling Highway 41 several miles north of Horatio around 3 p.m. when they met several motorcycles traveling south towards the city limits. The last rider was seen illegally passing a vehicle on the shoulder. The deputies turned around to initiate a traffic stop and got behind the riders, who then refused to stop. The three motorcycles allegedly led deputies on a pursuit towards Horatio, illegally passing numerous vehicles including several 18-wheelers. Upon entering the Horatio city limits a school bus full of Horatio Elementary students reportedly had to swerve into the highway shoulder to avoid colliding with one of the riders. The deputies, who were the only law enforcement involved in the pursuit before backup arrived, witnessed two of the motorcycles turn off onto Henderson Street in Horatio, while the third continued south through town. Dowdle and Wolcott continued following the third to the Horatio Post Office, where the rider of the bike lost control while attempting to navigate a high-speed turn onto Doggett Street. The rider, identified as Carlos Contreras, was then taken into custody. Arriving backup, including Arkansas State Police and Highway Police units, began searching for the two other riders on Henderson Street. Two bikes matching Dowdles description were located behind the house on 107 Henderson Street. Law enforcement agents found the back door kicked in. Uncertain who the house belonged to, authorities feared a hostage situation had developed inside the home. Deputies could not get anyone to answer the door and then entered. After a brief search four individuals were located lying on a bed in a back room of the house. The four admitted to being involved in the pursuit. Deputies then determined that the house belonged to one of the riders, Glen Stinnett, who had kicked in the door to his own home while trying to elude police. Stinnett, as well as the other driver, Jerry Don Brown, were placed into custody. The other two, including one female 15-year-old, were released as they had been passengers on the bikes. Stinnett, Contreras and Brown have each been charged with felony fleeing. Brown and Contreras also received charges of driving on suspended licenses - the reason they fled in the first place, the two allegedly admitted. Stinnett, who was driving with the juvenile in the passenger seat, will also face another felony charge for endangering the welfare of a minor. All three are currently awaiting their initial court hearing in the Sevier County Jail.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:18:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015