Chase Ends in Monticello

Last Thursday, Sept. 28, Newton County deputies arrested Wardell McClendon, 33, of Columbus, who was wanted out of six Georgia counties and one Alabama county, after a high speed chase that ended in Monticello.

At approximately 4:20 p.m. on September 28, Newton County deputies received a hit on a black Ford F-250 heading north into Porterdale on Hwy. 162 in Covington. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the truck as it passed the Hwy. 162 and Jackson Street connector, and the truck did not come to a complete stop until it was in the Burger King parking lot off Hwy. 81 South.

Once the truck was stopped, deputies attempted to speak with the driver, who was noncompliant and refused to roll his window down. The driver proceeded to put the truck in reverse, making an attempt to hit the NCSO patrol vehicle, then took off, which initiated the pursuit.

The truck crossed the county line into Jasper County during the pursuit, and Newton County deputies requested assistance from Jasper County. Jasper County deputies joined the pursuit near Bethel Church Road, and the truck driver made an attempt to hit one the deputies head-on. The deputy was able to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision.

Newton County deputies attempted a PIT maneuver on the truck, but it was unsuccessful due to the excessive speeding of the truck driver.

Jasper County deputies placed stop sticks on Hwy. 212 in an attempt to stop the truck. The stop sticks deflated three of the truck’s tires, but the driver still refused the stop. Newton County deputies attempted the PIT maneuver again in Monticello, which was successful and ended the pursuit. The pursuit ended at Forsyth Street in Monticello.

Newton County deputies arrested and charged the driver, identified as Wardell McClendon, with driving while license suspended or revoked (misdemeanor), willful obstruction of law enforcement officers (misdemeanor), passing on solid yellow line, criminal use of an article with altered ID mark, use of license plate to misrepresent identity of vehicle, improper lane usage, further limitations on driving on left of center of road, disobeying a traffic control device, no seat belts, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (felony), speeding, reckless driving and no proof of insurance.

At the time of the pursuit Newton County deputies were unaware there was a juvenile in the vehicle with the driver, so deputies also charged McClendon with cruelty to children –1st degree

McClendon was also wanted out of Russell County, Al., and the following Georgia counties: Coweta, Henry, Houston, Franklin, and Troup County. The charges in these counties range from fraud (felony) to concealing identity of a person (felony).

Sheriff Ezell Brown extends his gratitude to Jasper County for its assistance in this arrest.