Police pursuit comes through Suffolk
Published 5:37 pm Thursday, January 26, 2017
Chesapeake police arrested a 42-year-old man Thursday after they say he led them on a chase through four localities.
Omar Epps is charged with eluding, two counts of hit and run, grand larceny and abduction, according to according to Chesapeake Police Department spokeswoman, Master Police Officer Kelly Elliott. He was also wanted for five felony fraud-related charges and had a revoked operator’s license.
The incident started at 3:20 p.m., when a Chesapeake police officer witnessed a hit-and-run on Interstate 464 between a tractor-trailer and a white Lexus. He attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver of the Lexus didn’t stop. The tags on the Lexus came back stolen, Elliott stated in a press release.
The driver allegedly continued into Portsmouth, where he struck a Toyota truck, resulting in no injuries. He then drove onto Route 58 in Suffolk, where he caused another vehicle to run off the road. A minor injury was suffered in that wreck.
Police continued to pursue the vehicle into Isle of Wight County, Elliott said.
According to Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office Lt. James Pope, Isle of Wight was notified by Virginia State Police that Chesapeake and state police units were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. It was on Route 460 westbound coming out of Suffolk into Isle of Wight County, Pope stated in a press release.
An Isle of Wight Sheriff’s deputy was close to the area and attempted to assist in stopping the vehicle, Pope stated. The vehicle came upon heavy traffic and turned onto Old Mill Road and then stopped. State Police took the driver into custody, Pope stated. The Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office provided traffic control until the roadway was clear.
No charges are being brought by Isle of Wight, Pope added.
The passenger of the vehicle was interviewed and claimed she encouraged the driver to pull over, Elliott stated. She has not been charged.