Published: November 04, 2009 03:11 pm      

Chase ends in arrest

Ada — Pontotoc County sheriff’s deputies arrested three people and later caught two suspected burglars after a wild chase Halloween night.

The two suspected burglars, Marcus James Tatum, 26, Ada, and Lonnie Lee Griffith II, 30, Oklahoma City, were suspected of burglarizing a residence in the county Friday.

After investigating and attempting to locate Tatum, deputies spotted his vehicle near the intersection of County Roads 1510 and 3570 Oct. 31.

As deputies approached the truck to get tag information, Tatum reportedly fled at a high rate of speed. After allegedly running a roadblock, Tatum tried to pull into a private drive just north of Ada.

“Due to the vehicle traveling too fast, it slid from the driveway into a bar ditch striking a metal fence,” Deputy Brent Rhoads said.

Rhoads said Tatum attempted several times to get the vehicle unstuck while deputies pinned the vehicle.

“At this time, Deputy (Richard) Teel drove his patrol vehicle to the passenger side of the truck while Deputy (Kenny) Heck positioned his to block Tatum from getting back onto the roadway,” Rhoads said.

The deputies drew their guns and ordered Tatum and Griffith to exit the vehicle. Rhoads said Griffith complied but Tatum resisted arrest while deputies tased him several times with little effect.

After the arrests, deputies located several stolen items inside the pickup including a loaded .9 mm handgun, Rhoads said.

“Valley View EMS assistance was requested to respond to check the welfare of both Marcus and Lonnie,” Rhoads said.

Tatum reportedly told deputies he had taken “80 units” of methamphetamine.

Tatum was arrested on suspicion of transporting a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, possession of a firearm while under the influence, knowingly concealing stolen property, failure to stop for roadblock, eluding a peace officer, four complaints of second-degree burglary, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving under suspension, destruction of county property, possession of a weapon while committing a felony as well as other traffic offenses.

Griffith was arrested on suspicion of four counts of second-degree burglary, knowingly concealing stolen property and possession of burglar tools.

The burglary occurred early Friday. Later that day the homeowner located two of his wife’s rings at a local pawn shop and called Sheriff John Christian.

After inquiring, Christian and Rhoads found the items were pawned by Rockland Lee Weber, 28, Ada. Christian and Rhoads went to Weber’s residence and — after receiving consent to search — found drugs at the apartment. Weber was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and false declaration to a pawn broker.

Weber said we pawned the rings for some neighbors who said they acquired the rings from Marcus Tatum. One of Weber’s neighbor’s, a minor, was released to family members while two others were arrested.

Andrea Lynn Tatum, 44, Ada, was arrested on suspicion of knowingly concealing stolen property and conspiracy to commit a felony. David Wayne Jeffers, 22, Ada, was arrested on suspicion of knowingly concealing stolen property.

Rhoads said Andrea Tatum, the minor and Jeffers were with Weber when he pawned the stolen goods. Information from the arrest led to the search for Griffith and Marcus Tatum.