High Speed Chase Through Clarke County, MS

***BREAKING NEWS UPDATE***
CLARKE CO – Chief Deputy Barry White tells CCHT that State Troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol began pursuing a vehicle after it failed to stop for speeding on Highway 513 near Rose Hill coming towards Enterprise.

The suspect vehicle, a maroon Kia Optima then headed south bound on Interstate 59 and exited on Highway 18 in Pachuta where Clarke and Jasper Counties joined in.

Speeds of 120 mph were being reported during the wild pursuit.

Law Officers then lost sight of the suspect vehicle briefly but continued the chase again after being spotted on County Road 280 and Highway 45 by Clarke County Constable Ryan Evans who got behind the suspect and continued south bound towards the Town of Shubuta.

During this time, other pursuing units advised the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Clarke County Sheriff Deputies that the suspect was armed with an AK-47 rifle and considered very dangerous.

According to officials, Jones County Sheriff Deputies were looking for this same vehicle and suspect who was previously involved in a drive-by shooting in their county.

The chase lead into Shubuta, went down Main Street and towards the boat ramp area. The suspect then doubled back around onto Spell Street and 2nd Street where it proceeded west bound on Eucutta Street towards Highway 45.

The chase crossed over Highway 45 onto County Road 250 where the suspect ended up crashing the vehicle at the intersection of County Road 250 and 270 in the Harmony Community.

Chief White says the suspect was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Clarke County Jail.

MHP Sgt. Andy West confirms 21 year old Thomas E. McLaurin Jr. of Bay Springs has been arrested and charged with multiple traffic offenses. According to official reports, this is the same vehicle that was also involved in a drive-by shooting at a car wash in the City of Laurel earlier.

MHP is in charge of the accident investigation along with multiple charges stemming from the chase. White says Clarke County Sheriff’s Department will also have several charges as well and will release the suspect back to Jones County Authorities once all paperwork is complete in Clarke Co.

CCHT would like to commend all law officers involved in this dangerous multi-county high-speed chase and glad no one was injured during the process.

Good work guys!!