FAYETTEVILLE — A man suspected of driving with a suspended license was arrested early Saturday after police said he took a Fayetteville officer for a brief ride down Dickson Street.
According to a preliminary arrest report, Officer Tim Shepard spotted Melvin Sims, 23 of 6376 Copper Ridge Lane playing loud music from a black Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme at 2:18 a.m. at Dickson Street and West Avenue. Shepard said he knew Sims had a suspended license and ordered Sims to stop. Sims continued driving west and Shepard chased him.
According to the arrest report, Shepard reached into the passenger door to try to stop the car. Sims reportedly continued to drive, carrying Shepard off the ground for more than 130 feet. The car’s passenger, Leon Rucker, 24, of 872 Larkspur Lane pushed Shepard out of the vehicle, police said. Sims reportedly then sped into oncoming traffic and turned right on Gregg Avenue. He and Rucker were arrested at 3:40 a.m. at 872 Larkspur Lane in west Fayetteville.
Sims faces charges of felony second-degree battery, fleeing, first-degree false imprisonment, driving on a suspended or revoked license, misdemeanor reckless driving, second-degree criminal mischief, disregarding a police officer and violating the city’s noise ordinance. He was being held Saturday in the Washington County Detention Center on $100,000 bond.
Rucker faces charges of felony second-degree battery, fleeing, misdemeanor disregarding a police officer and second-degree criminal mischief. He was being held Saturday in the Washington County Detention Center on $5,000 bond.
Shepard injured his knees and his pants and duty belt were torn and scuffed from the fall.