PARAGOULD, Ark. – On Friday, law enforcement agencies engaged in a multi-county pursuit of a stolen vehicle from Jonesboro, which culminated just short of Greene County Tech’s main campus, resulting in damaged vehicles but no major injuries.
The pursuit, originating from Craighead County, entered Greene County along Highway 228 from Lawrence County. Progressing eastbound on Highway 412 toward Paragould, authorities attempted to divert the suspect vehicle away from the school traffic at Greene County Tech (GCT) during dismissal. Units from the sheriff’s office and the Paragould Police Department mobilized at the intersection of 72nd St, Hwy 412, and the Highway 412 bypass to redirect the suspect. However, the suspect evaded this effort by maneuvering off-road near N. 72nd St.
In a bid to elude law enforcement, the suspect vehicle veered off the highway just before reaching GCT and navigated through the backyards of residences west of the GCT Administration building. During this evasion attempt, a Greene County Tech School Resource Officer unintentionally collided with the sheriff’s unit, resulting in both vehicles being disabled.
An Arkansas Highway Police officer intervened, successfully halting the suspect’s erratic driving within one of the residential backyards, potentially averting a dangerous situation involving school children and motorists.
Sheriff Brad Snyder praised Officer Clairday with the Arkansas Highway Police. Snyder also emphasized the importance of public safety, acknowledging the damage sustained by law enforcement vehicles but expressing relief that there were no significant injuries. The Paragould Police Department is conducting an investigation into the crash involving the sheriff’s units.
The suspect apprehended following the pursuit has been identified as Edward Gene Huff, 52, of Clarksville, Tennessee. Huff, who initially provided false identity information, was subsequently identified through fingerprinting, revealing multiple felony warrants from Tennessee and Maryland. Huff faces additional charges in Arkansas and is detained at the Craighead County Detention Center pending court proceedings.
Sheriff Snyder underscored the challenging nature of vehicle pursuits, emphasizing the split-second decisions law enforcement officers must make under intense pressure and urging understanding of the complexities involved in such situations.
While I am discouraged that two of our units were damaged in yesterday’s pursuit, no one was hurt, our school was protected, and a very bad man went to jail. We’ll take that win today, and we’ll do it again tomorrow and everyday if need be.-Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder
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