Distress Call Initiates Pursuit
On the evening of February 7th, 2024, officers from the Tantytown Police Department in Arkansas received a distress call from multiple law enforcement agencies. The police were in pursuit of a stolen U-Haul van allegedly traveling at speeds over 120 mph.
Suspects Armed with Firearms and Molotov Cocktails
Unbeknownst to the officers at the time, the occupants of the van were in possession of multiple firearms and Molotov cocktails. Multiple agencies, including the Arkansas State Police, responded to the call.
Pursuit and PIT Maneuver Attempt
The pursuit was intense, with the Arkansas State Police known for their aggressive pursuit and PIT maneuver policy. At one point, an officer attempted a PIT maneuver at a speed of 101 mph. For comparison, many agencies consider PIT maneuvers above 45 mph to constitute lethal force.
Loss of Control During PIT Maneuver
The officer’s push bumper got hooked on the U-Haul van, resulting in a complete loss of control of the squad car. The chaotic scene included multiple cras and significant damage to vehicles involved.
Suspects’ Apprehension
Despite the high-speed chaos, officers managed to apprehend the suspects. The suspects faced charges for aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, possession of destructive devices, fleeing, battery, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.
Pursuit Spanned Two States
The pursuit began in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, and ended approximately 60 miles away in Springdale, Arkansas. Four patrol vehicles were taken out of commission due to the damages incurred during the chase.
Suspects Wanted in Michigan
According to news reports, the suspects were also wanted for attempting to run over police officers located over 700 miles away in Michigan.
Incident Captured on Camera
The incident was recorded by Safety VI, which caught the crash on an Arkansas traffic camera. This footage provided critical evidence of the high-speed chase and subsequent cras.
For more information and to obtain footage of freeway cras, visit safety.org and download your video today.
