A habitual offender from Lakeview has been arrested after fleeing a traffic stop.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a Baxter County Sheriff’s Office deputy was doing a routine patrol in the area of Arkansas Highway 5 North when he observed a vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. When the deputy turned around to initiate the traffic stop, the vehicle turned onto Timberlane Road traveling towards Cannie Baker Road. The deputy advised dispatch of a vehicle attempting to evade a traffic stop.
After the vehicle turned right onto Cannie Baker Road, the pursuit continued as the suspect turned left onto Webber road, ignoring stop signs. The deputy was able to obtain the license plate number and when they came close to the intersection of Webber Road and County Road 25, the suspect was not slowing down through the intersection and driving off the road, causing the car to almost flip over.
The pursuit continued through a field, when the suspect jumped from the moving vehicle and proceeded to run towards the woods. The chase continued on foot when the male exited the woods by going over a barbed wire fence and into another wooded area and disappeared.
While investigating the scene, officers photographed several articles belonging to the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Justin Fant. One of those items being a picture of him. In addition, Fant abandoned a phone, which kept ringing. Officers were able to confirm the caller was Fant’s girlfriend. During a criminal history check, it was discovered Fant had a suspended driver’s license due to a previous DWI and at least four felony convictions.
Fant eventually turned himself into the sheriff’s office. He is currently being held in the Baxter County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.
Fant is charged with one felony count of fleeing, and misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, disregarding a stop sign, and speeding, along with a habitual offender violation.
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