On Sunday, August 31st at 9:19 a.m., a McGehee City Officer observed a maroon Dodge Charger driving in a reckless manner on Thompson Street. When the Officer attempted to stop the charger, the driver, who was later identified as 33 year old Markeis Bass of Gould, began to flee.
Bass ran through multiple stops signs and intersections, and reached speeds over 100 mph in a 35 mph speed zone on North First Street. Bass fled onto Hwy 65, and eventually onto Hwy 4 toward Arkansas City, and speeds over 130 mph. The City Officers requested assistance from the Desha County Sheriff’s Office. Hearing the direction of the pursuit, Desha County Sergeant Roland Brown positioned himself on Hwy 4 at Clearwater, as the pursuit entered Arkansas City.
After McGehee Officers concealed the pursuit, an Arkansas City Officer spotted the vehicle, and Bass began to flee again, northbound on the levee, again at speeds over 100 mph. Sgt. Brown was then in position to block the levee and bring Bass to a stop near Clearwater, where he took him into custody. He was turned over to McGehee Officers and transported to the McGehee City Jail, where he was booked for Felony Fleeing in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Driving on a DWI Suspended License, and Disregarding Stop Signs.
Bass also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court. “This kind of reckless behavior and the blatant disregard for the safety of our citizens, cannot, and will not, be tolerated in Desha County. I am thankful that Sgt. Brown and the other officers were able to get this individual stopped before someone got hurt,” said Sheriff Mitch Grant.
