Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell and 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews reported that a high-speed pursuit that occurred on the evening of May 27, led to the arrest of 30 year old Austin Glenn Angel of Harrison, and the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal narcotics, approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine.

  Cassell explained the incident began when Searcy County Deputy Joey Baysinger attempted to pull over Angel's vehicle on Hwy. 65 in Marshall for an equipment malfunction. Angel appeared to pull his vehicle over, but instead he took off at a high rate of speed with Baysinger in pursuit.

  At this time, Baysinger was joined by Marshall Police Officers Devin Elliott and Dustin Rosenberger. With their assistance, the officers were able to contain Angel's vehicle but not before he lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and struck a tree.

  When Baysinger approached Angel's vehicle to offer assistance, Angel bolted from the vehicle and began to run on foot. Angel was stopped by Rosenberger and detained. After running his information through the crime information computer system, law enforcement learned Angel was driving on suspended license and was wanted by the Arkansas Parole Board.

  After emptying Angel's pockets, officers found several white pills. While searching his backpack, they found a plastic bag that contained a crystal-like substance.

  Jessie Gregory, who was a passenger in Angel's vehicle, was also wanted by the Arkansas Parole Board. Since her foot was hurt when Angel wrecked his vehicle, she was taken by ambulance to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison for treatment.

  While searching the vehicle, officers found other items of evidence, as well as a large amount of methamphetamine. 

  Angel was transported to the Searcy County Detention Center where he was charged with felony trafficking of a controlled substance, felony possession of drug paraphernalia with purpose to plant, manufacture, prepare or repack, felony fleeing, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and the following misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, display of license plates, driving on a suspended license, habitual offender, and two counts of possession of scheduled IV LT 28 grams.

  20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews assigned agents from her task force to Searcy County to assist in the investigation.