Phenix City police chase ends with 2 arrests in downtown Columbus

A police chase that started in Phenix City Tuesday night ended with two arrests in downtown Columbus at the intersection of First Avenue and Ninth Street next to the Government Center.

A dark Nissan sedan driven by a white male was stopped on First Avenue with three flat tires. Three Phenix City police vehicles surrounded the car — with one in front blocking the vehicle’s path onto Ninth Street, one beside it and another directly behind it.

A Phenix City Police SUV had a tag reader on the front and it picked up the Nissan Altima as being reported stolen out of Opelika, Ala., Columbus Police Capt. Ronnie Hastings said.

“They tried to stop it and the driver refused to stop,” Hastings said. “They engaged in a vehicle pursuit in Phenix City.”

Officers from Phenix City police, Columbus police, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Russell County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. Between 7:30-8 p.m. law enforcement vehicles were seen speeding along First Avenue and on side streets in the Historic District. At least 15 law enforcement vehicles were on the scene as the suspect was placed in custody by Columbus police.

The route and length of the chase is unknown, but the driver of the stolen vehicle entered Columbus on the Oglethrope Bridge, Hastings said.

A female passenger in the vehicle bailed out near a convenience store along Victory Drive and was immediately taken into custody by Columbus police officers who were responding to the chase call. She was transported to Piedmont Medical Center by police to be examined because she exited a moving vehicle, Hastings said.

“She seems to be OK, but she might have scratches,” he said.

Both front tires and the driver’s side rear tire were all flat when the chase ended. An off-duty Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy was at home in the Columbus Historic District when he heard the sirens, Hastings said. He put down spike strips that flatten the tires, Hastings said. The chase ended with the suspects arrested less than four blocks later.

“He happened to hear and got his spike strips out and utilized them,” Hastings said. “The Columbus Police Department does not use spike strips so it wasn’t us.”

Officers from multiple agencies were communicating with each other at the scene. About the time the chase ended on First Avenue, Columbus police were taking a woman into custody eight blocks away at the convenience store in front of the Civic Center.

This story was originally published April 3, 2018 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Phenix City police chase ends with 2 arrests in downtown Columbus."