Fleeing felon arrested after tossing loaded gun during chase Tuesday

Chayse Davonne Byrd - Submitted photo
Chayse Davonne Byrd - Submitted photo

A felon who fled from Hot Springs police on Tuesday was arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly tossed a loaded gun while being chased and was found with crack cocaine in his pocket.

Chayse Davonne Byrd, 25, who lists a Silver Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 4:30 p.m. and charged with felony counts of simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of a controlled substance, crack cocaine, punishable by up to 10 years, and possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to six years.

Byrd, who was also charged with misdemeanor counts of fleeing on foot and obstructing government operations, was being held on zero bond and was set to appear Wednesday in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Hot Springs police Detective Joey Vanderburg got behind a red Impala driven by a man who matched the description of a suspect sought on multiple felony warrants.

The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1544 Malvern Ave., where officer Tyler Ward and Cpl. Joey Williams attempted to make contact with the driver after he pulled into a parking space.

The driver, later identified as Byrd, exited his car and asked the officers, "What y'all want with me, man?" Ward said he told Byrd he matched the description of a wanted person and they just needed to make sure it wasn't him, but Byrd allegedly began walking away with his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

The officers ordered him to stop and instead he fled on foot north toward Indiandale Apartments, 105 Lowery St. As the officers chased him on foot to a fence behind an office building, Ward reportedly saw him reach into his pocket and toss what appeared to be a silver handgun over the fence.

Byrd continued to flee north as Ward alerted other officers by radio to the gun that had been tossed. At that time, an unmarked police unit, running lights and siren, came to a stop as Byrd ran out in front of it. Byrd reportedly hit the front of the car then got on the ground.

As Ward covered him with his Taser, Williams handcuffed Byrd, who refused to identify himself at that time. Vanderburg located the gun, a loaded silver and black Taurus .380-caliber pistol, where it had been thrown.

Byrd was complaining of pain so LifeNet was called to the scene and transported him to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. Officers checked the Impala and found a driver's license in Byrd's name and confirmed the photo matched him, including tattoos.

Once at the hospital, nurses began to remove Byrd's pants to treat him and he resisted, struggling with the nurses. Ward searched his pants and allegedly found a baggie of what later tested positive for crack cocaine, 4.1 grams.

Around 7:45 p.m., Byrd advised hospital staff he didn't want any further treatment so he was discharged and transported to the detention center. During the trip, he reportedly became belligerent and began "hitting his head on the cage" in Ward's unit. Once at the jail he allowed himself to be processed and booked in without further incident.

According to court records, on June 21, 2016, Byrd pleaded guilty in Garland County Circuit Court to simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and to theft by receiving over $1,000 and was sentenced to six years, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Local on 01/16/2020

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