An observation from a watchful off-duty deputy initiated a 25-minute chase that stretched from South Frontage Road to the Clarke County border around noon Thursday, according to law enforcement. 

With the recent surge in mailbox thefts throughout the county, an off-duty deputy reported a car with four male occupants, some black and some white, “acting suspiciously,” according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie.

“Considering that we’ve been having a lot of (mailbox) thefts and they were driving in a slow manner, as if casing the area… they were stopped to see if they were committing any criminal activity,” Sollie said. 

Sollie said when a patrol car spotted the vehicle on Grand Avenue the driver refused the stop, at which time one passenger jumped out of the vehicle.

While traveling down South Frontage Road, near the Circle K gas station, another passenger jumped out, Sollie said.

The chase then proceeded south on Highway 145, toward Clarke County, with speeds reaching 90 mph. Just across the Clarke County line, a third passenger jumped out of the car, breaking an ankle. Sollie said that passenger is seeking treatment at a local hospital. 

According to Sollie, just after crossing the county line, the driver then returned to Lauderdale County, continuing north on Highway 145. Deputies deployed a spike strip on Crescent Lake Road but the driver avoided it by crossing the median into ongoing traffic.

The chase moved to Dr. Brock Road and Valley Road, before spikes deployed on Valley Road and Dunrovin Road punctured the tires and caused all four to deflate, Sollie said. The driver then left county roads and headed into the city, turning right on 31st Avenue and then right on South Frontage Road.

Sollie said law enforcement officers communicated over radio about using a tactical maneuver, known as the PIT maneuver, after determining the suspect was a danger to himself and others.

The PIT maneuver, done by a trained deputy, involves using the front corner of the patrol vehicle to hit the back corner of the suspect’s car, Sollie said. The deputy’s front left corner hit the back of the suspect’s car, causing him to lose control and stop the car near where the chase started – at Grand Avenue and South Frontage Road. 

Sollie said the driver, who had previous felony charges, faces traffic violations and felony fleeing charges.

“The chase was mostly on county roads and state highways,” Sollie said. “But the decision was made once he returned to areas with traffic.”

Deputies captured three of the vehicle’s four occupants but haven’t charged any of the passengers. The two identified passengers have no previous felony charges. 

“This case is still under investigation and charges are still pending,” Sollie said. “The first passenger (who jumped out) has not been identified or brought into custody.”

Sollie said the patrol car had cosmetic damage while the suspect’s car had considerable damage. 

The only injury Sollie reported was the man injured after jumping out of the vehicle in Clarke County.