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Two Adams County women have been arrested after leading police on a high-speed, two-county chase on Monday.

Just after noon Monday, two black females suspected of shoplifting at Walmart Brookhaven were approached by a female police officer. The suspects were inside a vehicle bearing an Adams County tag in the store’s parking lot.

The officer was leaning into the car instructing the driver to put the car in park when the driver drove off. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid injury, according to Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins.

The fleeing vehicle struck another vehicle on the Exit 40 on-ramp to Interstate 55 and traveled southward. Officers pursued the vehicle on I-55, with both exiting onto Highway 84 West, where the pursuit continued westward.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies joined the pursuit when the suspects left Lincoln County, and the vehicle was brought to a halt just east of Old Highway 84 near Roxie.

Collins said the two females were arrested and charges are pending. He expressed thanks to FCSO deputies for their assistance.

“Business owners need to know that shoplifters are working in groups now,” the chief said. “They might have two or three, instead of just one. One will start a distraction while others are stealing, possibly telling them on a cell phone what to do.”

“This is their business. There’s no telling how many hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost to these organized shoplifters,” Collins said. “Criminals need to know when they come to Brookhaven, they have come to the wrong place. If you commit a crime, be prepared to go to jail.”

More arrests may be coming in this case, and the incident remains under investigation, said Collins.

“We’re just blessed no one was hurt today,” he said.