‘It was just wild,’ Local reacts to arrest after pursuit following Vilonia traffic stop

BEEBE, Ark. – Air support, K-9s, SWAT, drones and more were all in action Monday morning in Beebe.

The incident started around 5 a.m. Monday, when a Vilonia police officer pulled over a car for speeding. Police said the 15-year-old driver and the passenger, 18-year-old Jabariyon Crenshaw, gave fake names and then took off.

The car, which police said was reported stolen, broke down along Highway 64 in White County. According to police, the suspects and the officer then fought in the road, and the suspects stole the officer’s patrol car and drove off.

Ahmad Nelson said this level of activity is unusual for the city.

“I heard a strong helicopter vibration coming from outside the house, and I looked outside, and it was pretty low,” Nelson said. 

“I saw cops surrounding the whole block. Oh yeah, something serious is going on — this before I saw what was happening on Facebook,” Nelson said.

“This is something you don’t see around here in Beebe as much. Beebe is a very chill town and everything. Stuff like that is absurd,” Nelson said.

Police said the suspects ran after crashing the cruiser near DeWitt Henry Drive and Carson Street. They were arrested a few hours later on Road Island Street in Beebe.

“It was just wild. There was a lot going on. I was very surprised,” Nelson said.

Multiple agencies were out helping in the investigation.