A Marshall man was arrested on July 15 and charged with multiple offenses after leading officers on a reckless chase that started near Leslie and ended in Van Buren County.

According to Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell, Marshall resident Kyle Watts, age 18, and a passenger were driving through Leslie when Searcy County Deputy Joey Baysinger saw Watts run a stop sign. At that time, Baysinger attempted a routine traffic stop, but Watts accelerated, took off and in the process ran another stop sign, crossed on to Hwy. 65 and headed up Nubbin Hill Road.

While in pursuit of Watts, Baysinger noticed that Watts was driving all over the road, not using turning signals, sliding around corners and driving recklessly. Before proceeding to Hwy. 254, Watts did not signal his intent and ran another stop sign.

At this time, Marshall K-9 Officer Sam Holliman joined the pursuit. Baysinger reported that on Hwy. 254, Watts crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic and over the white fog line before crossing over into his lane of traffic.

After traveling in to Van Buren County, Baysinger notified the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office of the pursuit, so they dispatched officers to the location. Watts headed back to Hwy. 65 and after driving in to a ditch, turned and headed back to Hwy. 25 where he pulled in to a parking lot, struck a fence and attempted to drive in to the woods to avoid arrest.

With the assistance of Van Buren County officers, Watts was arrested and searched. During the search, officers found a meth pipe in his pants pocket and a baggie of meth, which later was found to weigh 0.2 grams. Allegedly, Watts admitted to officers that he had both items in his possession prior to the search. Watts also had a marijuana pipe in his pocket.

Baysinger took all of the articles along with Watts and his passenger to the Searcy County Detention Center where Watts was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D felony; possession of a controlled substance, Class D felony; fleeing, Class C misdemeanor; operation on public streets and highways unlawfully violation; reckless driving violation; and stop signs and yield signs, violation.

At the time of this release, Watts was currently being held in the Searcy County jail.