A Texarkana man was arrested early Thursday morning after leading multiple area police departments on a pursuit through Texas and Arkansas.
According to Bowie County Chief Deputy Jeff Neal, while watching a house suspected of selling narcotics in the 5400 block of West 7th Street in Texarkana, Texas, Deputies Randall Baggett and Sergeant Chris Allison noticed a truck pull up to this house and stay for only a short period of time. “When this truck exited the driveway of the home, it quickly accelerated to a high rate of speed,” said Neal. “Sergeant Allison caught up to the vehicle and activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the truck. Instead of stopping, the driver of the truck increased his speed in an attempt to elude the deputies. Sergeant Allison then activated his emergency siren as he pursued this truck.”
According to Neal the suspect led officers into Arkansas and then back into Texas. Texas DPS, Wake Village Police, Nash Police, Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department and Miller County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in the pursuit, according to Neal.
The pursuit ended when the driver of this truck brought his vehicle to a stop on the shoulder of Loop 151 near Sowell Lane.
The driver was identified as 46-year-old Garrett Arvel Smith of Texarkana, Texas. Smith was taken into custody for Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and two outstanding traffic warrants issued by the Texarkana, Texas Police Department.
According to Neal, during an inventory of Smith’s truck for impoundment, Sergeant Allison found a crystal like substance lying in the driver’s seat. This substance gave a positive reaction to a field test for methamphetamine. Smith was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Under One Gram and transported the Bi-State Jail for processing.
Judge Nancy Talley later set Garrett’s bonds at $30,000 for his charge of Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and $10,000 for his charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Under One Gram.
