Tuesday Update: The driver’s identity was released in Monday afternoon’s high speed chase. Brown County Jail records indicate that 27-year-old Jared Courtney South of Abilene was transferred from the McCulloch County Jail to the Brown County Jail Monday afternoon and was charged with evading arrest/detention with vehicle. South, pictured above, was released on $10,000 bond Tuesday morning.
Original Story: High Speed Pursuit Travels through Brown County, Ends in McCulloch County with Arrest
Brown County law enforcement along with multiple other state agencies were led on a high speed chase through Brown County and into neighboring McCulloch County Monday afternoon where a male subject was taken into custody.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., Bangs Police Officer Andre Smoot attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle in Bangs; however, when he went to make contact with the driver, the vehicle sped off. Officer Smoot radioed telling Brown County emergency dispatch that the suspect was traveling in-bound to Brownwood at speeds over 100 miles per hour at times.
Brownwood Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators joined the pursuit that traveled through Brownwood, along Commerce Street, Market Place Blvd, and Main Street, with the suspect vehicle at times on the wrong side of the roadway, according to law enforcement.
Brown County Investigator Vance Hill confirmed that spikes were placed near the intersection of W. Commerce and Terrace Drive; however the suspect was able to maneuver around them and continue, leading officers in pursuit.
One citizen reported that her vehicle was almost hit as the vehicle traveled through the “traffic T” at the intersection of Main and Commerce Street.
Law enforcement followed the vehicle, hanging back a distance in an attempt to allow the driver to slow down, according to Bangs Chief of Police Troy Grusendorf. He reported that the vehicle continued through Brownwood, south on Hwy 377S.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Martin Molotsky was one of three DPS units involved in the chase and stated that the suspect vehicle got up to speeds of 110 miles per hour. He confirmed that DPS was able to successfully deploy spike strips in McCulloch County which deflated all four of the vehicle’s tires and that the driver gave up soon afterward.
Chief Grusendorf reported that the suspect was being magistrated in McCulloch County where he was arrested for evading and will be brought back to Brown County to face additional charges.
“All agencies did a fine job stopping the suspect vehicle before he was able to cause harm to any of our agencies’ officers, the general public or cause any property damage,” commended Grusendorf.
Law enforcement officials have not yet released the suspect’s identity.
Pictured below is the suspect vehicle as it was stopped by DPS units and as the arrest was being made. Photo contributed by Judy Shank.
