Car vandalism report leads to high-speed chase, arrest in Alabama

A call about a car being vandalized on County Road 38 in DeKalb County, Ala., led to a vehicle chase and an arrest in Jackson County.

Jason William Alfred Townson, 32, of Section, Ala., was taken into custody following a car chase leading from DeKalb County to Jackson County, and eventually ending on foot.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office got a call about the vandalism, "by bat or gun, we don't know at this time what happened," according to a press release from DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris.

Two deputies responded to a call and filled out a report at the residence. As the deputies were leaving, a vehicle came from behind another residence and met the deputies, with the driver, Townson, reportedly holding a weapon out of the window of the vehicle. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, and Townson immediately stopped in the road, trying to get the deputies to hit him, and continuing to display the weapon out of the window, according to the release.

Sheriff's deputies continued pursuit, with help from police from Section, Fyffe and Geraldine, eventually making it to Jackson County. Deputies alerted the Jackson County Sheriff's Office as to the situation. Townson then turned onto an old field road, eventually wedging his vehicle against a tree and taking off on foot. Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips brought out a tracking dog to help with the search.

Townson was located at a relative's home in Jackson County, about a half-mile from Matheny's bridge, and taken into custody by Jackson County Deputies before being turned over to the DeKalb County deputies. Townson is currently being questioned by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, and the District Attorney and Circuit Clerk will be contacted afterwards to determine what warrants will be filed.

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