MARION, Ark. — Arkansas State Police used a Taser after a Marion suspect led a trooper on a chase through a residential neighborhood, ran multiple stop signs and then fled on foot, according to an incident report.
Trooper Wright reported the pursuit began around 5:35 a.m. March 23 after he observed a black Kia K5 traveling 71 mph in a 55 mph zone on College Boulevard near U.S. Highway 64 in Marion.
According to the report, the driver slowed down after noticing the trooper and turned onto Magnolia Street, then onto Countryside Drive, where he failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle then continued through several neighborhood streets, including Pleasant Woods Drive, Woodland View Drive, L.H. Polk Street, Rue Chateau Dupre, Rue Le Maison and Boulevard Saint Germaine, while repeatedly failing to stop at stop signs.
Wright wrote that the vehicle reached speeds of more than 60 mph in a 25 mph zone in the neighborhood.
The chase ended when the driver pulled into 821 Boulevard Saint Germaine, according to the report. The driver then got out and ran toward the back of the residence.
Wright reported that he ordered the suspect to stop and gave chase on foot. While the suspect was approaching a fence behind the home, the trooper deployed his state-issued Taser 10. The report states five Taser cartridges were deployed before a positive connection was made. Once that happened, the suspect complied with orders and was taken into custody without further incident.
Police later identified the suspect as Jose Rodriguez.
According to the incident report, Rodriguez appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest. Wright wrote that Rodriguez had bloodshot, watery eyes and very red eyelids, though the trooper stated he did not smell intoxicants. Rodriguez also refused to identify himself, according to the report, leading to an obstruction charge.
Rodriguez was taken to Crittenden Baptist Hospital after complaining of back pain, according to the report. He was not admitted for medical care, but hospital staff administered pain medication. Wright reported that no chemical test was requested afterward because the medication would have invalidated the test for impairment.
After being released from the hospital, Rodriguez was transported to the Crittenden County Jail.
The report states Rodriguez was charged with fleeing on foot, fleeing in a vehicle, speeding more than 15 mph over the speed limit, reckless driving, no driver’s license or expired license, obstructing governmental operations, failure to obey a stop sign and driving while intoxicated.
According to the incident report, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Coleman later advised that Rodriguez pleaded to the two misdemeanor charges of fleeing in a vehicle and DWI. Online court records in the case have not been updated as of this report.
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