Pike County Court

Pike County Court met this week seeing 29 YO Joseph Vancamp of Delight. Vancamp faced 7 felony charges including 4 charges of aggravated assault, fleeing with substantial danger of death, 1st degree criminal mischief, and unauthorized use of property. Facts constituting probable cause are as follows:

On Monday, October 11th at approximately 1pm Arkansas State Trooper Seth Smedly conducted a traffic stop with a 1996 Ford Pickup. After identifying Vancamp and running his information Trooper Smedly learned that his driver’s license was suspended and the vehicle he was operating was not registered to him. Trooper Smedly instructed VanCamp to exit his vehicle which he refused. Shortly after Vancamp attempted to drive away.

With Smedley in pursuit VanCamp stopped suddenly, placed his vehicle in reverse, and at a high rate of speed backed up ramming Smedley’s patrol vehicle. During the course of the pursuit Trooper Smedley’s dash cam recorded Vancamp doing this a total of 4 times. During the 4th time Trooper Smedley fired his firearm at VanCamp’s vehicle striking the rear glass. VanCamp continued to flee and the Police Report shows no indication that VanCamp was shot.

After continuing the pursuit Trooper Smedley successfully rammed the rear of VanCamps truck causing the vehicle to become disabled. After a foot pursuit VanCamp was taken into custody with no further incident.

VanCamp is currently awaiting dates for court.