Drugs found in Pea Ridge highspeed chase

PEA RIDGE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Pea Ridge Police Department said they arrested a man from Rogers on April 18 following a high-speed chase.

Joshua Parks, 31, was arrested and charged with the following:

• Felony fleeing
• Felony aggravated assault
• False imprisonment
• Felony possession of drug paraphernalia
• Misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance
• Reckless driving, speeding – more than 30 mph over the limit,
• Fail to obey stop sign
• Careless and prohibited driving
• Expired tags
• No liability insurance

Officer Cullens Smith noticed a Chevy Malibu with Illinois license plates driving erratically on Weston Street, according to a news release. Parks was said to have driven at a high rate of speed on Hazelton Road and passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone causing Officer Smith to start pursuing Parks.

Parks drove through several county roads outside the city before going westbound onto Highway 72 toward Bentonville. Several units from surrounding agencies were called to help.

Once the suspect drove to Price Coffee Road he attempted to pass another vehicle on the roadway and lost control, leaving the roadway and striking a tree, the release states. The chase lasted about 10 minutes.

Officers immediately detained the two occupants of the vehicle. The passenger was deemed as an “unwilling passenger,” and was released without charges. Officers did find marijuana and drug paraphernalia “for other drugs,” said Lt. John Langham.

Parks is also wanted on felony and misdemeanor warrants out of area agencies. He is currently in the Benton County Jail where he is held for bond.

Police said that no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

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