It’s been a matter of literally chasing down suspects of late for the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department.
Two men suspected of criminal activity were apprehended after chases overnight, HCSO Chief Deputy James Singleton said Thursday.
Deputy Allen Young was dispatched about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a reported drunken driver in the eastbound lane of Interstate 30 near Hope, Singleton said. He said Young gave chase when a brown pickup truck matching the reported description passed him at Exit 30 weaving from lane to lane at a high rate of speed.
Singleton said Young gave chase eastbound on I-30 to the Emmet exit.
“The vehicle exited I30 at the Emmet exit, crossed over county road 53 and re-entered the interstate continuing eastbound,” Singleton said. “The vehicle tried to pass an 18-wheeler in the median at the 40-mile marker and the driver lost control of the vehicle, it spun around facing west in the eastbound lane and Deputy Young positioned his vehicle to try to keep the other vehicle from the traffic lanes and on-coming traffic as the other driver continued across the traffic lanes for approximately 150 yards before striking a tree in the median.”
Singleton said the driver jumped from the pickup truck and fled on foot, but a passenger in the truck surrendered without incident to Young.
A Hope Police Department K-9 unit was requested to track the driver, he said. HPD Officer Daniel Oller and HPD Sergeant Weaver tracked the driver, later identified as Randall Lee Coffman, 53, of England, into a wooded area about 3/4-mile from the westbound lane of I-30.
Coffman was located lying in the woods just off the westbound lane of the interstate, Singleton said. Coffman was arrested for DWI second offense, driving on suspended license, refusal to submit to blood alcohol test, reckless driving, fictitious tags, speeding, and felony fleeing.
“Coffman is also on parole and has a felony warrant out of Pulaski County for receiving property and misdemeanor warrants for theft by receiving and driving on suspended license DWI,” Singleton said.
He said Coffman was taken to the Hempstead County Detention Center, where he remained Thursday. The passenger was released without charges, Singleton said.
Later Wednesday night, Singleton said HPD Deputy Justin Crane investigated a domestic battery complaint near Blevins, and had to track down another suspect.
“Upon arrival at 356 County Road 17 near Blevins, Deputy Crane was met by James Hunn, the owner of the residence, who appeared to be bleeding from the head and face,” Singleton said. He said Hunn had been seeking to remove another man from his property, was assaulted in the process, and the man had fled.
Singleton said Hunn reported that he had investigated an incident at his daughter’s residents where he was allegedly struck by the unknown assailant.
“Deputy Crane located Edward Bryan Herrick a short distance from the residence,” he said. “Herrick refused to comply with Deputy Crane’s request to submit to arrest and O.C. Spray was employed by the deputy, who then took Herrick into custody.”
Herrick was taken to the HCDF on allegations of battery second degree with injury with a weapon, third degree domestic battery and resisting arrest, Singleton said. He is awaiting a first judicial appearance.
