JENNINGS COUNTY — Jennings County Sheriff deputies arrested a suspect accused of driving a stolen vehicle after a short pursuit.
Deputies were sent to a vehicle crash on Highway 50 at 6 a.m. Tuesday and learned the driver had fled on foot, said Chief Deputy Dave Turner.
Deputy Garrett Hoppock and Sgt. Anthony Maberry arrived at the scene and searched the area. While they were searching a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crossed the centerline causing Hoppock to jump into a ditch to avoid being struck, Turner said.
Sgt. Allen Ritchie and canine Vampir were able to locate the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to stop, Turner said. After a short pursuit, the driver crashed the vehicle and fled on foot, but Vampir was able to apprehend him, Turner said.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the vehicle involved in the original crash was reported stolen out of Ripley County and the second vehicle was stolen near the scene in Jennings County, Turner said.
Investigators also learned that the suspect, Weldon Wiley, 44, Westport, had entered a residence, without permission, seeking a ride, Turner said.
Wiley was arrested on preliminary charges of felony auto theft, misdemeanor criminal recklessness, felony resisting by fleeing, felony residential entry, misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangerment and misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.
Wiley was being held in the Jennings County Jail on $1,055 bond, jail officials said.
