Suspect found hiding in a tree after police chase

WHITE COUNTY, Ark. — Deputies said that a man driving a stolen car led them on a chase before attacking a deputy and then trying to hide up a tree.

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The White County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that its deputies were investigating a report of a stolen car when the vehicle was found being driven by a suspect, identified as Jonathan Roth. When a deputy initiated her lights and sirens, “Mr. Roth feigned pulling over several times before coming to a complete stop.” When the stolen car finally stopped, the deputy stopped as well. However, the stolen car sped away when the deputy started to get out of her car.

Deputies said in the news release that the pursuit then began, with Roth driving the stolen vehicle off the road, into an empty field and then into “another bushier field.” Once the vehicle reached the wood line, deputies said that Roth got out of the car and ran away. The deputy caught up to and grabbed Roth, who is accused of then punching the deputy at least twice in the face. The deputy then lost her footing, and when she regained it, Roth had disappeared.

As the pursuit escalated from a vehicle pursuit to a foot pursuit to a fight, more agencies got involved, including Arkansas State Police, Federal and State Wildlife, Bald Knob and Judsonia police, KATV reported.

A K9 named Timber and its handler are credited with tracking Roth to an area in the woods, where Timber approached a specific tree. Officers said they were able to see Roth up high in the branches of the tree. Deputies said in the news release that Roth initially refused to come down from the tree, but agreed to after speaking with White County Sheriff Phillip Miller.

Roth was arrested and taken to the White County Detention Center on charges of second-degree battery, fleeing and theft of property, KARK reported.

The deputy who was hit is back at work. She suffered bruising and swelling to her left eye and mouth, deputies said.

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