Man leads Natchez police on chase after 911 call

Published 12:05 am Friday, February 2, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — A man was arrested Thursday evening after leading police officers on a chase before being captured on Brenham Avenue.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said officers encountered Demetric McKnight after following up on a 911 call sometime after approximately 6:30 p.m. about a burglary in progress at a residence in the Morgantown area.

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McKnight, however, had nothing to do with the call, as the burglary report was unfounded.

“He wasn’t part of a burglary, nor was there a burglary at all,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong said he had no idea what prompted the 911 call.

Despite the apparent false alarm, officers saw a car immediately begin to leave the area in an unusual manner, Armstrong said. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the man allegedly fled and initiated a pursuit.

After eluding officers for some time, McKnight reportedly led officers closer to the heart of down and ditched his vehicle to flee on foot.

Following a brief foot pursuit, officers detained McKnight, Armstrong said.

Officers believe McKnight ran because of his two outstanding bench warrants for carrying a concealed weapon, allowing an unlicensed driver, disobedience of an officer, reckless driving, fleeing or eluding law enforcement, possession of a firearm and two bench warrants for failure to appear.

Armstrong said McKnight was arrested on those warrants as well as additional charges for evasion.

No injuries resulted from the chase, Armstrong said.