UPDATE AT 11:30 A.M. APRIL 24 – Charges against Michael Clegg are now listed as Reckless Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, Attempt to Elude, Criminal Mischief-Damage to Business Property. No bond is listed.
UPDATE FROM SHERIFF FRANKLIN: The suspect, Michael Clegg, 53, of Covington, Georgia is facing multiple charges from various agencies. In Elmore County alone, he is expected to face charges including criminal reckless endangerment. Sheriff Franklin said that Clegg attempted to run at least three deputies off the road during the chase. They were able to maintain control, and continue the pursuit. We are including a mugshot of Clegg that is now available. The Sheriff said, “(Clegg) could be with us for a while, as other departments figure out charges.”
Franklin said it could take up to 48 hours to obtain warrants from agencies with charges.
Franklin said none of his deputies were injured, and the department’s vehicles received no serious damage.
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
A possible attempted kidnapping suspect is in custody at the Elmore County Jail after a police pursuit from Goodwater in Coosa County entered Elmore County a short time ago. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said details are limited at this time.
“We got a call from Goodwater for assistance, and that a suspect in a possible kidnapping attempt was fleeing from officers there, and headed our way on Hwy.9,” Franklin said.
“Our guys headed that way and encountered him around Hwy. 231 and Main Street near the Walgreens. We were able to stop him and we have him in the county jail right now. I am not sure of charges just yet, but we have him.”
UPDATE AT 11:30 A.M. APRIL 24 – Charges against Michael Clegg are now listed as Reckless Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, Attempt to Elude, Criminal Mischief-Damage to Business Property. No bond is listed.
Deputies used the Pit maneuver to end the chase before anyone was hurt, Franklin said.
The chase involved multiple agencies including Goodwater, City of Wetumpka and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. Troopers from ALEA are on the way, as this happened a very short time ago.
“You can argue for not pitting (a vehicle) but the problem is if you don’t stop them, and the person goes five miles down the road and takes a life, that is not good. We have training and equipment that average citizens do not have. It is safer for us to end a chase as quickly as we can,” Franklin said.
The suspect has now been identified as Michael Clegg, 53, of Covington Georgia. He will remain in the Elmore County jail while various law enforcement agencies obtain warrants on individual charges. Franklin said Clegg was alone in the vehicle during the pursuit.
What is a PIT maneuver? The pit maneuver is a technique used by law enforcement to stop fleeing vehicles with minimal risk to the driver, the police, and the public. Though all departments do not use this technique.
