by MERIDIAN, Miss. – A traffic stop in Lauderdale County took a dramatic turn when it was discovered that the vehicle involved had been reported stolen in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The incident occurred around 10:10 pm on Highway 19 South.
The vehicle in question was a 2015 Chevrolet Trax LT. As soon as the driver realized they were being pulled over, they made a break for it, heading south towards Alabama. However, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department was not about to let them get away that easily.
In a daring move, the LCSD deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle. Despite reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour, the suspect was unable to evade capture. Eventually, the driver turned onto Water Valley Rd, where they finally abandoned the stolen vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
After a brief pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and identified as Marco Lashaun Mitchell, a 41-year-old resident of Meridian. Mitchell now faces multiple charges, including DUI, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, and felony fleeing and eluding.
Interestingly, this is not Mitchell’s first run-in with the law. At the time of his arrest, he was already out on multiple felony bonds from a previous incident on December 4, 2023. As a result, he will remain in custody until his charges are resolved.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department is actively assisting the Tuscaloosa Police Department with this ongoing investigation. Both agencies are working together to gather more information and uncover any additional details surrounding the stolen vehicle and Mitchell’s involvement.
As this story continues to develop, News 11 will keep you updated with the latest information. Be sure to subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay informed on this and other breaking news stories happening in the area.
In conclusion, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to apprehend criminals and keep our communities safe.
