The Stone County Sheriff’s Department received a tip on Saturday, Nov. 2, that two people, wanted by authorities, were leaving a liquor store in a vehicle on Highway 14 West.
The two individuals, identified in court records as Tamara L. Guinn and Mason Patrick, both had felony failure to appear warrants. Cpl. Justin Meeks was assigned to intercept the vehicle carrying the wanted couple, and take the two into custody.
Meeks found the vehicle as he was traveling east on 14. According to the affidavit of probable cause for arrest, the officer turned around, dropped in behind the vehicle, and turned on his emergency light. In an apparent effort to elude Meeks, the vehicle picked up speed. Meeks followed the vehicle at speeds above the legal limit as it went into Izard County, the affidavit noted, before finally pulling over at a residence on Highway 9. Once the vehicle stopped, the couple wanted by authorities, jumped out and fled on foot.
Meeks called for assistance to find the couple, and meanwhile, took the driver, identified as Aaron A. Youmans (pictured), 47, into custody.
Once other officers arrived, they combed the area for Guinn and Patrick and could only find the jackets they were wearing. Meanwhile, Youmans was taken to jail.
Stone County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Collums reviewed the information from the incident and charged Youmans with two counts of hindering apprehension, fleeing from an officer in a vehicle, and reckless driving. The two counts of hindering apprehension are felonies.
Youmans’ bond was set at $10,000.
Image via Stone County Sheriff’s Office
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