Déjà vu for State Police with pair of high-speed chases

ASP take down similar suspects with similar charges in the same place on the same day

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

If at _rst you don’t succeed, you might get arrested. That’s not how the saying goes, but it certainly applies to two incredibly similar incidents last week when Arkansas State Police Troopers apprehended two suspects in similar vehicles both at nearly the exact same place after short high-speed chases, using the same tactics and both resulting in marijuana charges.

Trooper Dairren Evans was patrolling Interstate 40 West near the 284-mile marker on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, when he noticed a car with noticeably _ctitious Tennessee temporary tags. Evans attempted a traf_c stop on the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle then began to ee at speeds over 100 miles per hour and continued onto Mound City Road. At this point, Evans performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver. With the suspect vehicle disabled, Evans attempted to give several commands to the driver, identi_ed as Michael Chalmers, 29, of Memphis.

Chalmers began to exhibit concerning symptoms, failing to respond to conversation and shaking. Evans performed a sternum rub to

See CHASES, page A3

Chalmers suddenly began convulsing at the moment of his arrest but miraculously recovered only moments later.

Photo courtesy of ASP CHASES

From page A1

check his responsiveness while awaiting medical professionals. Medical professionals found no immediate medical issues and Chalmers was cleared.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, revealing a large baggie of white powdery substance, a large baggie with a white rock-like substance, a plastic baggie containing a white crystal-like substance, two large plastic baggies with a green leafy substance, and a small glass bottle _lled with unidenti_ed pills. Additionally, a small scale with residue and multiple open bottles of alcohol were found in the vehicle.

Michael Chalmers, who was already on Memphis’ Most Wanted List for a litany of charges as recently as December of last year, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substances including meth and cocaine, failing to obey a stop sign, refusal to submit to arrest, theft by receiving, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle, possessing expired tags and _ctitious tags, reckless driving, driving without a seatbelt, driving on a revoked license, felony eeing in a vehicle, failure to have liability insurance, and speeding more than 15 mph over the limit.

Earlier the same day at nearly the same exact place yet another high-speed chase on Interstate 40 entering West Memphis ended with the arrest of Jeremy Odom after he too attempted to ee from law enforcement.

Trooper Gunner Fultz was stationed at the Riverside Scales when he noticed a black car speeding at 96 mph in a 65 mph zone. Fultz, driving a patrol car, pursued the black Ford Fusion and attempted to pull it over. Despite Fultz’s efforts, Odom refused to stop and even threw a plastic bag containing marijuana out of the car. Trooper Fritz performed a TVI just yards short of the Mound City Rd exit at which point the suspect ed on foot.

Fultz deployed his K9 and after a brief chase, Odom was apprehended with the help of two deputies from Illinois, good Samaritans apparently just passing through. Odom resisted arrest, prompting Fultz to use physical force to subdue him and place him in handcuffs. Odom was then taken to the patrol car and treated for minor injuries by an ambulance that was called to the scene.

A search of Odom’s car revealed the discarded plastic bag containing marijuana. Odom was subsequently charged with Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, Tampering with Evidence, Speeding, Fleeing in a Vehicle, Fleeing on Foot, and Failure to Present Insurance.

Odom’s bond has been set at $7,500 while Chalmers who faces much more serious charges is $60,000.

Odom in the back of a K-9 Unit right next to the heroic animal that had chased him down only moments before.

Photo courtesy of ASP