From: Chief P.K. Johnson
On Friday, May 15, 2020, at approximately 1:21 AM, Millbrook police attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1100 block of Highway 14. The vehicle, a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, accelerated to a high rate of speed and continued westbound on Highway 14, into Prattville. The vehicle continued through Prattville and into several residential and commercial areas of the city. The pursuit terminated at the dead-end of Poplar Street, where two suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Prattville police officers were able to saturate the areas and set a perimeter and after a brief search one of the suspects was taken into custody without incident. A short time after the initial suspect was taken into custody Prattville officers were able to locate the second suspect in the residential area, not far from the abandoned vehicle. Both subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Millbrook Police Department for processing.
Robert Lewis Wilson, a 22 year-old Birmingham resident, was placed under arrest being charged with Reckless Endangerment and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement. Ted Maurice Wallace, a 21 year-old Birmingham resident was placed under arrest being charged with Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement. Both individuals were transported to the Elmore County Jail, where they remain pending bond.
At this point we believe these two individuals attempted to elude law enforcement officers for reasons other than a traffic violation. We located several cellular devices that were packaged in a suspicious manner inside the vehicle they abandoned. It’s possible they may have been intended as contraband at one of our correctional facilities nearby. We’re still looking into that. These individuals engaged in extremely reckless behavior in an attempt to elude officers placing life and property in danger unnecessarily. Had they simply stopped there would have been a few traffic citations issued, property may have been impounded until we could figure out if it was stolen but instead this happened. Fortunately no one was injured and no property was damaged. These two individuals went to jail extremely tired.
I want to thank Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson and their 3rd Shift patrol officers that assisted us this morning. Everyone involved did an outstanding job. I keep hoping that people that continue to come into this area to commit crimes will learn that law enforcement in Elmore, Autauga County and the entire River Region work extremely well together. We will make every effort to apprehend these individuals and make sure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent for their actions. As a matter of fact I believe one of these individuals has a legal issue to be taken care of when he clears his charges here. We may see if we can assist him in getting back to Jefferson County.
