Two arrested after pursuit stretching across three counties

Merriott
Merriott

A Hot Springs man and Mountain Pine woman were arrested early Tuesday after allegedly leading law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit through three counties, beginning in Garland County.

Terry Ray Merriott, 44, who lists a Central Avenue address, and Shaneah Marie Self, 27, who lists a Mountain Pine address, were taken into custody at around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday and each charged with felony counts of possession of a firearm by a certain person, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, aggravated assault and felony fleeing, both punishable by up to six years, and misdemeanor counts of possession of an instrument of crime and fleeing on foot.

Both were being held in lieu of $11,500 bonds and are set to appear Dec. 11 in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Garland County sheriff's Cpl. Jon Lane reportedly observed a gray Pontiac Grand-Prix crossing the centerline on the King Expressway and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver allegedly would not stop and continued to increase speed, running a stop light at the intersection of Temperance Hill and Higdon Ferry roads.

The vehicle occupants, later identified as Merriott and Self, reportedly switched seats while the vehicle was in motion shortly after running the stop light. The vehicle headed south on Central Avenue, continuously increasing speed.

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Self

Self allegedly threw a .45-caliber handgun with a fully loaded magazine and several other items out of a window during the pursuit. As the vehicle continued down Central, Merriott reportedly attempted to ram two sheriff's units and run them off the road while traveling over 85 mph, according to the affidavit.

The pursuit continued through Garland, Hot Spring and Clark counties, finally ending in Arkadelphia after Arkadelphia police deployed spike strips, flattening the two front tires on the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle traveled about half a mile with two flat tires before Self and Marriott exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a short pursuit, both were reportedly apprehended without incident.

During a search of the vehicle prior to being towed, officers allegedly located items believed to be stolen along with a set of bolt cutters, flashlights and a pair of black gloves.

While en route to the detention center, Self allegedly made several spontaneous statements after hearing the radio traffic that a gun was located. She reportedly stated the gun belonged to her and she swallowed over 3 grams of meth and several pills to prevent her boyfriend, Merriott, from getting in trouble.

Local on 11/29/2017

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