JONESBORO, Ark. — A suspect wanted in Tennessee on a murder warrant was arrested by Arkansas State Police on July 31 after a pursuit on Interstate 555 ended with a tactical maneuver, rollover and vehicle fire, according to court records.
Lemarkius Authurio Ross faces eight charges in Craighead County, including simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony.
Trooper Victor Garcia wrote in a probable cause affidavit that the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a vehicle pursuit July 31. Dispatch reported that the vehicle was traveling north on I-555 and that its driver had turned off the headlights.
Garcia joined the pursuit at the Poinsett-Craighead county line. A Marion Police Department vehicle was directly behind Ross’ vehicle as it passed the trooper’s location, according to the affidavit.
Garcia caught up near the 35-mile marker and performed a tactical vehicle intervention. The vehicle overturned and came to rest upside down in a field east of the interstate.
Police ordered Ross to exit, but he yelled for help and said he was trapped by his seat belt. Garcia reported seeing smoke and a small fire in the engine compartment.
While a Marion officer provided cover, Garcia used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Additional officers helped remove Ross from the vehicle, and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated Ross after he complained of pain in his left shoulder and knee. Garcia then transported him to St. Bernards Medical Center for treatment.
Ross initially identified himself as “Jonathan Matthew” from Tennessee, the affidavit said. Dispatch could not find records matching that identity. While traveling to the hospital, Ross allegedly provided his real name.
A records check showed Ross had an active, nationwide extraditable warrant for murder. During Ross’ first appearance, District Judge David Boling wrote that the warrant was from Tennessee. The court documents did not provide further details about the underlying murder case.
Police searched the vehicle and reported finding a purple Taurus handgun, three plastic bags containing suspected marijuana and another bag containing suspected methamphetamine. The items were inside a black duffel bag, according to the affidavit.
Ross faces the following charges:
- Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony
- Possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver, a Class A felony
- Possession of firearms by certain persons, a Class B felony
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, a Class C felony
- Fleeing in a vehicle, a Class D felony
- Reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor
- Obstructing governmental operations, a Class C misdemeanor
- Driving on a suspended license
Boling set Ross’ bond at $2 million cash or surety and ordered GPS ankle monitoring as a condition of release. Ross’ next Craighead County court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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