By Brian Livingston
A tip Monday afternoon from residents in the Bailey community was the spark that ignited a car chase that sped through downtown Meridian and into Clarke County. When it was all over, Billy Kinard and Tikeshalia S. Mays, who were wanted for various felony offenses, were in the custody of Lauderdale County law enforcement authorities.
"We received a phone call at about 12:45 p.m. Monday from people in the Mt. Carmel area who said they saw the suspect's vehicle," said Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun. "We sent units to the location and put out bulletins to the Meridian Police Department and on the Radio Watch system. A few minutes later patrolmen with the MPD spotted the vehicle in Meridian and tried to make a traffic stop. At that time the chase began."
Kinard, 31, of Meridian, and Mays, 18, of Pritchard, Ala., were both wanted for multiple offenses stemming from an incident Friday in which they allegedly robbed and then bound Kindard's 80-year old uncle at his uncle's home located in the 9800 block of Mt. Carmel Road in the Bailey community. The couple then reportedly stole the victim's maroon 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlas. Kinard's uncle was able to free one hand and call a neighbor who directed Lauderdale County Sheriff's deputies to the home. He was transferred to a Meridian hospital for treatment and is expected to fully recover from his ordeal.
When MPD patrolmen attempted to stop Kinard, he sped into downtown Meridian, out 22nd Avenue and onto Hwy. 145 South. Reaching speeds of 110 mph, Kinard led MPD, Mississippi Highway Patrol and LCSD units through the Clarkdale community into Clarke County. From there Kinard drove the Oldsmobile off into the edge of the woods. He and Mays then fled on foot into a wooded area.
Law enforcement personnel from Lauderdale, Troop H of the MHP and Clarke County law enforcement agencies converged on the wooded area. Approximately 40 officers, all of them heavily armed, combed the woods for a half hour before the two suspects were taken into custody without further incident.
"I just can't say enough about the professional cooperation between the agencies involved," said Calhoun, as officers from different departments gave each other high-fives after the two suspects were transported to jail. "This all started with a citizen's phone call and ended peacefully and without injury to anyone. I love it when it happens this way."
Kinard, in addition to the felony domestic violence offense, is also charged with kidnapping, robbery, vehicle theft and felony fleeing and eluding from law enforcement. Mays was charged with kidnapping, vehicle theft, robbery and aggravated assault. Both are currently being held in the Lauderdale County Adult Detention Facility in Meridian.
