Published: November 11, 2009 11:01 am      

Car chase in two counties

A man suspected of harassment and assault ran from Hancock County Sheriff’s deputies into Pearl River County where he was later captured by Pearl River County deputies on Saturday.

According to a press release from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, deputies attempted a stop on a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier near the Chevron station at the corner of Mississippi Highways 603 and 53. The driver, identified as Carlos Smith, 32, of 128 Three Ponds Road, in Pearl River County, ran from the deputies.

The release states that Smith was a suspect in claims of harassment and assault. When asked by the Item if the harassment involved a gun, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Brandon Norman said the nature of the assault and harassment is still under investigation.

“There’s not a whole lot I can put out there at the moment,” Norman said.

A pursuit ensued as Smith ran from Hancock’s deputies that brought deputies north on Miss. 43S, and then onto Barth Road, where Smith is reported to have been traveling more than 100 miles per hour, the release states.

Pearl River County Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier said deputies from this county were dispatched to the chase at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Smith was followed to a dirt road off of Three Ponds Road where he ran into the woods.

Saucier said the deputies checked the area, believing that he fled to one of the houses. Smith lives in that area along with some family members. After the deputies established he was not inside any of the homes, a perimeter was set up around the woods where Smith was believed to be. Pearl River County’s newly established SWAT team was put into action to find Smith.

SWAT team members heard motion in the woods and then saw Smith, who raised his hands and identified himself. Saucier said Smith was taken into custody without further incident.

Pearl River County has charged Smith with reckless driving. Saucier said a gun was not found on Smith.

The Hancock County press release states that Smith will be charged in that county with felony fleeing. Additional charges could be placed against Smith by Hancock deputies as the investigation continues, the release states.