Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported a Harriet man was arrested on July 17 after the Searcy County Sheriff's Office received a call from a local woman who stated a man had entered her bedroom by using a knife to unlock the door and took the keys to her husband's vehicle without permission. The man then took the vehicle and left the premises.

Cassell said during the course of the investigation, the stolen vehicle was involved in a two-vehicle wreck on Tommy Hollow Road in Searcy County. The stolen vehicle, which was driven by 40 year old William E. Collins of Harriet, allegedly struck an ATV and fled the scene.

Later, Collins left Searcy County and entered Stone County where reports state Collins' vehicle struck an object on Hwy. 263 and continued on without stopping. Searcy County Deputy Troy Dye made contact with Collins in the Big Flat area and when he attempted to stop Collins, he fled into Baxter County.

While making his way back to Searcy County via Hwy. 14, Dye, who was still in pursuit, saw Collins throw a beer can out of the driver's window. At this point, Collings stopped his vehicle and when Dye attempted to take him into custody, Collins fled again.

During this portion of the pursuit, spike strips were deployed but Collins avoided them by driving around then them and re-entered Hwy. 14 where he almost struck an oncoming vehicle.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Officer Ken Nelson joined Dye in the pursuit. When Collins attempted to flee from Nelson, he left the roadway, struck an embankment and crashed the vehicle creating damage to the front. While trying to flee again, Collins attempted to back his truck over Nelson who was attempting to take him in to custody.

Collins was taken into custody and while awaiting transport to the Searcy County Detention Center, Collins threatened to kill three officers on scene, Cassell, Dye and Nelson.

After arriving at the Searcy County Detention Center, Nelson administered a breath test on Collins to test for intoxication. Collins BAC level was .20% three hours after being jailed.

Charges filed against Collins include theft of property; fleeing; breaking or entering a building or structure; failure to give information, remain at the scene and render aid following an accident; littering; resisting arrest; reckless driving; criminal contempt to commit a Class Y felony; 1st degree terroristic threatening; DWI; and driving with cancelled, suspended or revoked driver's license.

Collins appeared in front Circuit Judge H.G. Foster on July 20, 2021. Foster set Collins' bond at $75,000.00, cash or professional.