Shoplifting results in chase, two arrests
An Elk Valley couple is facing several charges after an alleged shoplifting incident at the Oneida Wal-Mart Supercenter turned into a police chase and, eventually, a manhunt in the Fairview area.
Timothy Taylor and wife Bonnie Taylor, both age 33, of Elk Valley, were arrested at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 22) after a chase and search effort that lasted just over an hour.
Allegedly, Wal-Mart employees observed the pair shoplifting DVDs, and contacted the Oneida Police Department. Investigator Daryl Laxton arrived at the store moments later, and approached the suspects after they had exited the store and entered a vehicle.
Instead of following Inv. Laxton’s orders to get out of the car, the couple fled the store, heading south on U.S. Highway 27.
As dispatchers alerted other Oneida officers and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department to be on the lookout for the vehicle, multiple calls were received indicating the car’s direction of travel as it traveled through the Paint Rock community.
Oneida Chief of Police Mike Cross was in the Huntsville area as the search for the vehicle unfolded, and stationed himself at the intersection of State Highway 456 and Baker Highway near the Fairview community.
As the couple entered Baker Highway, Chief Cross began pursuing their vehicle, with Timothy Taylor allegedly attempting to collide with Cross’ vehicle on two occasions.
Eventually, Taylor pulled onto a road near Scenic Foods, lost control of his vehicle, and crashed, after which the couple allegedly fled into the woods.
Inv. Laxton, Sgt. John Terry, K-9 Officer Steven Ward and Patrolman Gerry Garrett joined Chief Cross at the scene, along with Deputy Gene Yaden and Sgt. Wesley Byrge of the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
With the help of OPD’s canine, “Jincx,” officers were able to trail the suspects back to the highway.
As officers were trailing the suspects, dispatchers at the Sheriff’s Department received a call from a citizen in the Buffalo Road area that two persons matching the suspects’ description were knocking at her door. Minutes later, the couple was apprehended as they walked along Buffalo Road near the Buffalo Baptist Church.
The couple was charged with theft under $500, theft over $500, and felony evading arrest. Timothy Taylor was also charged with aggravated assault, going armed with the intent to go armed, driving without a license, and reckless endangerment.
A knife was allegedly recovered from the couple’s vehicle, and DVDs valued at over $200 were also allegedly recovered.