BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson is grateful that a Tennessee man reportedly driving a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude his officers is in custody. A female passenger in the vehicle is also facing charges. Thompson said that he is grateful for the work his officers put in, and that no one was injured.
Arrested was the driver of the vehicle, identified as Channing Layne Turner, 32, of Tennessee. He has been charged with D.U.I. (Controlled substance), attempting to elude police, receiving stolen property 1st, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set for those charges totaling $16,500. He remains in Autauga Metro Jail.
Also in custody is the passenger in the vehicle, identified as Jennifer Lynette Chance, 36, of Prattville. She is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Her bond is set at $5,500. She is also being held at the Autauga Metro Jail.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when a Prattville officer was patrolling on Hwy. 14 and noticed a car weaving in traffic. At McQueen Smith Road, the suspect noticed the police officer and fled, with the officer in pursuit, Thompson said. Other officers joined in and staged in other areas.
“We had officers set up on Hwy. 82 and were able to get spike strips down and deflated one of the tires on the suspect vehicle,” Thompson said. “The suspect then proceeded toward the downtown area where he lost control at Main and Washington, coming up against a curb.”
Thompson said a bicyclist had a close call, but narrowly escaped being hit by the vehicle.
“The suspect was still attempting to keep going but officers were able to box him in,” Thompson said. “We found a pistol in between his feet on the floorboard. It was obvious to officers he was under the influence of something.”
Officers also found drugs in the vehicle believed to be crystal methamphetamine, Thompson said.
