Man wanted for felony evades arrest after chase

JONESBORO, Ark. – Sometimes, it is safer to let the suspect go and get them another day and that’s what two Jonesboro law enforcement officers did Wednesday afternoon.

At about 4:40 p.m., JPD Officer Alex Duncan noticed a white 2015 Chrysler 200 traveling east on Washington toward Gee Street driven by Michael B. Johnson, 40, address unknown. Johnson was known to police to be a wanted absconder who also had a felony bench warrant through Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, the report said. Duncan showed restraint, however, noting the suspect had “known violent tendencies” and had fled law enforcement before. She radioed to Officer Jeremy Wheelis as she followed the vehicle without initiating the traffic stop.

The suspect vehicle proceeded to the 1600-block of Duncan Road, a coincidental name, as the officers both gathered into position to converge. The suspect dropped off his passenger at her address. Police activated their lights around the time he was backing out of the driveway but, as predicted, he sped up and fled, the report said.

Wheelis sped up to stay with him but the suspect increased the risk by driving at approximately 80 miles per hour around several dangerous curves, Wheelis reported.

“I decided it was to dangerous to continue the pursuit,” Wheelis wrote in his report, citing the manner in which the suspect was driving.

After officers radioed to area authorities in the possible path of the suspect, police returned to Duncan Road and questioned the woman who was dropped off. She told them she did not know he was wanted and she had no idea of where he was going.

If you know where Michael B. Johnson may be located, contact Crimestoppers at 870-935-7867.

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