Chase Ends With Two Arrests In Missouri

Pursuit Started In Rogers

— A high-speed car chase Wednesday afternoon ran through four cities in two states and ended in two arrests in Missouri.

Eric Watts and Michael Kubiecek are being held in the McDonald (Mo.) County Jail in connection with numerous traffic and drug charges, according to a news release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. No ages or cities of residence for the men were provided in the release.

Benton County will issue warrants for any felonies committed during the pursuit in Arkansas, according to the release.

Deputy Joe Warren of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to make a traffic stop on Watts’ green Hyundai Sonata with Kansas license plates at Interstate 540 and Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers. Watts didn’t pull over, instead fleeing through Rogers, into Bentonville and then Bella Vista, officials said.

Lt. Ryan Harmon of the Bella Vista Police Department used spike strips at Bella Vista Way and Pinion Valley Drive in Bella Vista, blowing out two tires on Watt’s vehicle, said Sgt. Clayton Roberts. The vehicle continued north, with sparks coming from the metal rims on the highway by the time the vehicle crossed into Missouri, he said.

Grooves in the highway from the vehicle’s bare rims led to where the car stopped almost 10 miles into Missouri, facing south in the median along U.S. 71, just south of the Pineville exit.

Several agencies assisted in the pursuit, including the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Bella Vista police, Arkansas State Police, Missouri State Police, Pineville marshals and the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office.

No other vehicles were damaged in the pursuit, and no one was injured, according to the release.

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