On Saturday, June 8, 2019, the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department contacted the Searcy County Sheriff's Department in regard to a stolen vehicle from Van Buren County.  Information was relayed that the vehicle, a 1997 gold Chevrolet with a homemade flatbed, pulling a cargo trailer was traveling on Hwy. 27 towards Welcome Home, Arkansas.  It was requested that Searcy County attempt to locate and detain the person or persons in possession of the stolen vehicle. 

Shortly thereafter, Sheriff Kenny Cassell encountered the stolen vehicle on Hwy. 27 between Welcome Home and Marshall and turned his vehicle around in an attempt to make a traffic stop. However, the driver of the vehicle (later identified as Jeremy James Scott) turned on to Hwy. 333, accelerated his speed and fled from Cassell.  Sheriff Cassell remained in pursuit.

When the driver reached Hwy. 65 and Hwy. 333 near Boston Mountain Rural Health Center in Marshall Jeremy Scott turned north on Hwy. 65 towards St. Joe, and continued to flee. At this time, other Searcy County deputies and Marshall officers joined the pursuit.  At one time, an officer passed the stolen Chevrolet in an effort to slow it down, allowing enough time to put down spike strips ahead of the pursuit.  Spike strips would disable the vehicle's tires.  This proved to be ineffective.

As Chief Deputy Pierce passed the suspect, the driver waved and smiled at him while attempting to run the officer off the road.  Jeremy Scott passed on double yellow lines and blind curves, attempted to ram vehicles while driving at speeds in excess of 85 mph, and endangered the lives of numerous individuals.  After going through Pindall, Scott turned into a private driveway north of Fillmore Lane.  Before exiting his vehicle on foot, Scott purposely struck Cassell and Pierce’s vehicles.  He then left the vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Searcy County Auxiliary Deputy Devin Elliott apprehended the driver of the Jeremy James Scott.  When located, Scott, was hiding in a wooded area.  He surrendered without further incident.

Cassell stated that the Jeremy James Scott, who lists his address as homeless, is a wanted Absconder from Arkansas Parole and Probation. Scott was transported to the Searcy County Detention Center where he was charged with AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ABSCONDER, FELONY FLEEING and RECKLESS DRIVING. Other potential charges are pending.

He is currently being held in the Searcy County Detention Center awaiting his first appearance in the Searcy County Circuit Court.

Sheriff Cassell extends his sincere thanks to members of his department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Marshall Police Department for their assistance in this pursuit and capture.