PELL CITY — Authorities chased a driver through Pell City and Riverside Tuesday morning after he allegedly drove off from a Moody gas station without paying for gas.
St. Clair County Assistant District Attorney Carol Boone identified the suspect as Gregory Ragland, 19, of Pell City.
She said Ragland was charged with reckless endangerment and is being held without bond in the St. Clair County Jail.
Boone said Ragland is also expected to be charged with first-degree attempted assault and possible other traffic violations while eluding lawmen from five different agencies.
Boone said Ragland was out on bond for first-degree theft of property for allegedly stealing a vehicle in Talladega County when he allegedly stole gas and attempted to elude authorities Tuesday.
Moody Police Capt. David Higgins said the suspect allegedly stole about $70 of gas from a Moody service station and is expected to be charged with driving off without paying.
Tuesday morning’s chase ended just across the River Bridge on Interstate 20 in Talladega County.
According to radio transmissions, the suspect was pursued on U.S. 78 in Eden and through the downtown area of Pell City. The suspect eventually made his way to U.S. 231 and to Vaughan Lane, where he almost struck a pedestrian.
The pursuit continued on I-20 east. The suspect got off at the Riverside exit, only to get back on to I-20. Alabama State Troopers forced the suspect into a railing on I-20 in Lincoln, where he was taken into custody unharmed.
Agencies involved in the pursuit, which happened at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, included Moody, Pell City and Riverside police; the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department; and Alabama State Troopers.
Pell City Police Chief Greg Turley said this is an example of why tougher laws are needed for people attempting to elude police.
He said people fleeing from police should face felony charges, not misdemeanor charges.
“It’s not only hazardous for our officers, but also hazardous for the public,” Turley said.
He said the Pell City Police Department is not expected to file any charges against Ragland.
