Suspect Faces Felony Charges After High Speed Pursuit
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WATER VALLEY – An 18 year-old is behind bars facing felony charges after leading officers from multiple departments in a high-speed chase in Yalobusha and Lafayette counties Thursday afternoon.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Jonathan Love was arrested without incident at his residence on Grand View Drive Saturday night and charged with felony fleeing and simple assault on a police officer. He was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center and remains in custody on a $40,000 bond. The chief added that Love will likely face additional charges in other jurisdictions stemming from the pursuit.
“Officers were able to positively identify the suspect during the pursuit. We ultimately terminated the pursuit for the safety of the officers and the public,” Mangrum told the Herald. “We were able to obtain an arrest warrant and apprehend him at his house two days later.”
Water Valley officers were notified by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department about the high-speed pursuit as the deputies from the neighboring department were nearing the city limits on Hwy. 7 behind Love.
Mangrum said his officers had a couple of minutes to set up, but were unable to stop the suspect as he fled south on Hwy. 7, blowing through both stop signs on the bypass. Love continued south on Hwy. 7 to Coffeeville before turning back north and coming back through Water Valley and entering Lafayette County. The Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department and Coffeeville Police Department were also involved in the pursuit.
Mangrum reported the attempted traffic stop in Lafayette County was initiated for speeding, careless driving and endangering the public. The chief also said that he received reports after the chase was terminated that Love continued to drive in excess of 100 miles per hour.
“There was absolutely no regard for the safety of other motorists before, during or after the pursuit. We are going to work diligently to ensure Love is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mangrum added.
Mangrum added that speeds reached 140 miles per hour. One Water Valley police cruiser was damaged as officers attempted to box in the fleeing vehicle in an attempt to end the pursuit near the Velma area.
Other activity reported by the chief included:
• Mateo Perez, 31, of Water Valley was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and DUI. Mangrum said officers received a call that a Chevrolet Silverado struck multiple parked vehicles on Blackmur Drive and the entrance wall at Oak Hill Cemetery Saturday night. The alleged driver fled on foot carrying a small child and was located a short time later.
“Officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage and launched a DUI investigation that led to the charges,” Mangrum said.
The charges include a child endangerment enhancement. Perez was booked into the Yalobusha County Detention Center.
• Charles Sartain was arrested for burglary of a commercial building on April 26. Officers received a call that a male had entered an abandoned rental house adjacent to the courthouse. Upon arrival, Sartain was located inside the house.
“Evidence indicates that he was looking for items to take, which led to the charge,” Mangrum explained.
