Prairie Grove police last week arrested a Washington County man, permanent address unknown, following a motorcycle chase through Prairie Grove and into the county, with speeds at times exceeding 30 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Charles Ray Cunningham, Jr., 41, was arrested Nov. 4 in connection with the following felony charges: fleeing, theft by receiving, furnishing prohibited articles and possession of a controlled substance. He also was arrested in connection with misdemeanors possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, failure to stop at traffic light, driving on suspended license, driving left of center and missing tail lights.
According to the police report, Cunningham was driving a motorcycle reported stolen to Fayetteville Police Department. Cunningham also is facing theft by receiving charges issued Oct. 28 by Farmington police in connection with another motorcycle reported stolen out of Fayetteville, according to a Farmington report.
The Prairie Grove report states that Officer Jacob Rollins was westbound on U.S. Highway 62 about 10 p.m. Nov. 4 when he observed a motorcycle also traveling west without any tail lamps. Rollins turned on his overhead emergency lights but the motorcycle failed to yield and accelerated on Highway 62. It continued to accelerate reaching speeds of about 90 m.p.h., ran a vehicle off the roadway, and then turned onto Douglas Street traveling in the wrong lane of traffic at about 70 mph in a 40 m.p.h. zone. The motorcycle turned onto Buchanan, Border and Parks streets, before speeding out into the county, the report said.
The motorcycle apparently died near the intersection of Highway 265 and Sweetwater Creek. The driver ran the motorcycle off the road, jumped a barbed wire fence and ran into an open pasture, disappearing into a tall grass area.
Backup units arrived and officers began searching the pasture. Rollins said he saw the suspect, ordered him not to move and to show his hands.
When Cunningham was placed under arrest, Rollins said a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the same area. About 14.5 grams of marijuana was found inside a small plastic baggie, the report said.
Cunningham was taken to Washington County Detention Center and jail staff found methamphetamine inside his pants pocket, the report said. Cunningham was booked into the detention center late Nov. 4.
General News on 11/13/2019