Routine Traffic Stop Turns Into Multi-Agency Pursuit

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Local officers were led on a pursuit that ended in Oklahoma following an attempted traffic stop by Mena Police Department on Thursday, September 17, 2015. The chase began around 11:30 p.m. after the driver of a red Honda Accord refused to pull over for a Mena Police Department Officer.

The pursuit ended in LeFlore County, Oklahoma when the vehicle eventually stopped on Haw Creek Road at a police roadblock. Officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office, Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, and the Oklahoma State Police assisted in the chase.

Tommy Emmit Black, age 42 of Mena, and Herbert Ben Slater, age 30 of Mena, were both arrested in the incident. Black is being charged in Polk County with Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Driving Left of Center, Reckless Driving, Improper Passing, No Driver’s License, No Vehicle License, and No Liability Insurance. Slater is being charged in Polk County with Obstructing a Governmental Operation and Destruction of Evidence.

Both Black and Slater will also face further charges from Oklahoma.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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