A reported carjacking soon turned into an early evening car chase through downtown Harrison. According to Harrison Daily Times, the pursuit ended Thursday with three law enforcement agencies involved and 27-year-old Deparif Tilly hospitalized after crashing the stolen vehicle.
Boone County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tim Roberson said the office was notified around 4:00 that a black male subject had gone to Parker’s RV on Highway 65 North of Harrison to report his vehicle had run out of gas.
Roberson said the subject left the business after looking into some other vehicles. Following the subject’s departure, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office received a second call saying the subject was “jumping into traffic” on Highway 65.
A third call was received by the Harrison Police Department, saying the subject had stolen a vehicle and was headed southbound on Highway 65.
Tenna Henson, the owner of the vehicle, said she and her fiancé had gone to Parker’s to pick up something for their camper. While the fiancé went inside, Henson waited behind in the car, and it was left running.
As Henson waited, she said the subject got inside the vehicle, told her to stay and that they we’re “going for a ride,” and proceeded to put the idle car in drive. Henson attempted to stop the vehicle, but realized the subject meant to steal it. Thinking fast, she took off her seatbelt and jumped out of the moving vehicle, leaving behind her phone and money.
Harrison Police Chief Paul Woodruff said officers were notified to watch for the vehicle, and before long Sgt. Chad Morris spotted the vehicle while in his patrol unit.
Morris followed the stolen car and initiated a traffic stop. The subject stopped but refused to exit the vehicle. When approached, the subject took off, leading officers on what would become a chase throughout downtown Harrison. Arkansas State Police were notified to take the lead when the pursuit left city limits.
On Highway 65 North, the vehicle left the roadway, striking an embankment and rolling. It was reported the subject was going in excess of 120 mph at the time the car crash and he was ejected out of a window.
Following the crash, the subject was taken to North Arkansas Medical Center for treatment and was later identified as Tilly.
Police were able to identify Tilly with the help of a Harrison Police Department log. The log showed Tilly was wanted on warrants from Fayetteville, Washington County and the Arkansas Board of Parole.
It was also discovered the vehicle Tilly was driving before the carjacking was also reported stolen in Fayetteville.
Tilly faces charges of theft and burglary in Boone County, along with charges by the Harrison Police Department and Arkansas State Police. The investigation is reported to still be underway and more charges may be made.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI