GREENVILLE, Miss. — Three people were arrested Thursday following a vehicle pursuit connected to a grand larceny investigation involving stolen communication wire, according to authorities.
Investigators with the narcotics division were conducting proactive patrols on May 7 when they responded to reports of individuals allegedly stealing wire in the Juniper Street area. Dispatchers later advised investigators that a suspicious pickup truck had been seen leaving the area and traveling onto Canal Street.
Authorities said investigators located a pickup truck matching the description traveling at a high rate of speed on Canal Street. When officers caught up to the vehicle near the intersection of Canal and Reed streets, they observed the driver fail to stop at a stop sign while turning left.
Investigators attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and accelerated, leading officers on a pursuit through multiple intersections. During the chase, authorities said the vehicle disregarded several traffic control devices, including a traffic signal at Reed and Main streets, and struck several road maintenance cones.
Additional patrol units joined the pursuit, which ended when the truck turned onto Wall Street and stopped at the end of the roadway.
All three occupants were detained and identified as Joshua Colyer, 44-year-old of Indianola; Tristen Vanderford, 24-year-old of Hollandale; and Brandi Flemmons, 26-year-old of Leland.
During the investigation, authorities said they discovered a large quantity of freshly cut communication wire in the bed of the pickup truck. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, all three suspects were charged with grand larceny. The vehicle was impounded as part of the investigation.
Colyer also faces multiple traffic-related charges connected to the pursuit, authorities said.
Investigators said Colyer later made an unsolicited statement during the booking process claiming one of the passengers was not involved in the alleged theft and was “only present for the ride.” Authorities said the statement will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case remains under investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
