26-year-old William Pentecost was charged with evading arrest, driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, speeding, failure to obey a traffic control device, misuse of registration, lack of proof of insurance, and an equipment violation after a chase occurred when his car was observed to be without functioning headlights.
On June 21st, Officer Sutton attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Cobalt due to the vehicle possessing two malfunctioning headlights. When Sutton activated the equipment necessary to conduct the stop, the Cobalt continued on Ted Crozier Sr. Blvd towards Tennova Medical Center. The vehicle proceeded to turn onto Dunlop Ln and, eventually, into the parking lot of the hospital. Sutton was capable of examining the face of the driver as the Cobalt entered the lot but was still unable to initiate a stop due to the vehicle evading law enforcement.
Shortly after the failed traffic stop, the Cobalt was once again observed turning left off of International Blvd and onto Dunlop Ln. Sutton began to trail the vehicle but did not turn on emergency equipment. According to the affidavit, the Cobalt was unable to maintain a lane of travel while driving westbound, disregarding other drivers on the road.
Additional units were contacted regarding the driver, which Officer Peoples responded to by spotting the vehicle at the intersection of Ted Crozier and Athletic Ave. Peoples stated that the Cobalt was traveling at approximately 73 miles per hour. The vehicle ignored a red light at the meeting of Wilma Rudolph Blvd and Holiday Dr and traveled onto Westfield Ct. Peoples was unable to locate the vehicle after the Cobalt entered the Waterford Landings apartment complex.
Deputy Stach arrived on the scene and identified the vacant vehicle in front of the 1300 building inside the complex. As officers conducted a search of the premises, Sutton discovered a man hiding behind the 1300 building. After positively identifying the driver as the guilty party, the man was apprehended and additionally confirmed to be the driver by Officer Peoples. The man was then determined to be William Pentecost.
Further investigation through the National Crime and Information Center revealed Pentecost’s license to be indefinitely revoked as of May 2016 due to a failure to satisfy fines. A search of the vehicle’s tags disclosed that the number listed was not registered to the Cobalt nor Pentecost. Sutton’s search of the vehicle resulted in a failure to find any proof of insurance as well.
William Pentecost was arrested and charged with evading arrest, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, speeding, failure to obey a traffic control device, misuse of registration, lack of proof of insurance, and an equipment violation. His bond was set at $15,000.
