Lockesburg Resident Charged Following Police Pursuit

Nashville police, the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, the Arkansas State Police and Mineral Springs Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit Saturday afternoon that began in Nashville.

Police Chief Amy Marion said Narcotics Investigator Mark Barnes noticed a vehicle on College Street that matched the description of a vehicle previously used in a residential burglary in Howard County. Investigator Barnes made contact with the driver and attempted to identify the individual. However, the suspect put the vehicle in reverse and began fleeting west on College Street.

The pursuit continued over a four city block area at speeds of 60 miles per hour. Nashville Investigator Tim Bowlin and Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Quick began assisting.

The pursuit left Nashville on Highway 371 with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Police reports say the suspect, identified as 40 year old James McElroy, Jr. of Lockesburg, also began traveling in the opposite traffic lane during the pursuit.

The incident ended when McElroy’s vehicle began overheating. Officers were able to bring the vehicle to a stop on Highway 371 near the Cornbridge Road intersection. McElroy was taken into custody without incident.

His charges included Felony Fleeing, Driving on Suspended License, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Fictitious Vehicle License. McElroy also had a felony child support warrant and a felony parole violation warrant as well as a misdemeanor warrant for non-payment of fines in Howard County and a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant out of Madison County, Arkansas.