SPRINGDALE -- Two Michigan men were arrested Wednesday evening after leading police on a two-state chase and crashing a stolen van investigators say was loaded with guns and Molotov cocktails.
Robert Mercier and Trenton Johnson, both 21, face multiple criminal charges and were being held Thursday at the Benton County Jail.
A news release from Tontitown police says both men were arrested in connection with: three counts of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, possession of destructive devices, felony fleeing, second-degree battery, four counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest and multiple felony offenses from other agencies. Both men also are wanted by Westland, Mich., police for attempting to run over multiple police officers, the release says.
The pursuit began when a police officer in Locust Grove, Okla., tried to stop a van bearing the U-Haul logo that was reported stolen, according to the release. Mercier was driving the van and struck a car head-on near Colcord, Okla., while trying to evade law enforcement, the release says. Several agencies were notified and police pursued the van east on U.S. 412, entering Tontitown after 5 p.m.
The pursuit ended just outside the Tontitown city limits on Interstate 49. A Tontitown officer used a tactical maneuver to end the chase, according to the release. The officer's patrol car ended up rolling multiple times before coming to rest. The officer received hospital treatment and was released with minor injuries, the release says.
A Tontitown officer used pepper spray on Mercier to get him out of the car, according to a police spokesman.
The pursuit reached speeds of at least 120 mph, according to the release. Officers found firearms and improvised flammable devices, commonly referred to as Molotov cocktails, inside the van, the release says.
Robert Mercier
Trenton Johnson