A suspected shoplifter led law enforcement on a 25-mile chase through several North Alabama communities Saturday morning, allegedly crashing through a drive-thru area, destroying property, and abandoning a truck that later caught fire.
According to the Scottsboro Police Department, Michael Lee White, 50, of Tupelo, Mississippi, has been charged with attempting to elude police (felony – 20+ mph over the posted speed limit), criminal mischief, resisting arrest, theft of property, and reckless driving.
Police said officers were dispatched around 8:46 a.m. Saturday to the 24000 block of U.S. Highway 72 following a report of a theft.
Dispatch relayed a description of the suspect and vehicle to patrol units. Officers later located the suspect vehicle — a silver GMC truck pulling a 44-foot trailer — in the parking lot of Zaxby’s.
Photo courtesy Scottsboro Police Department
Authorities say the driver struck a drive-thru stand with the trailer, drove through a flower bed, destroyed a business sign, and fled the scene when officers attempted to stop the vehicle.
Officers initiated a pursuit as the truck traveled north on Veterans Drive before turning east onto U.S. Highway 72.
The chase continued for approximately 25 miles, passing through the towns of Hollywood and Stevenson before entering Bridgeport. Agencies assisting in the pursuit included the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Stevenson Police Department, and Bridgeport Police Department. Authorities also notified officials in Marion County, Tennessee.
As the vehicle approached the intersection of County Road 75 and U.S. 72, officers reported seeing smoke coming from the engine compartment.
Police say the truck slowed and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. The driver then exited the vehicle and ran into a nearby wooded area.
After a brief foot pursuit, officers from multiple agencies took the suspect, later identified as White, into custody.
During the foot chase, the truck caught fire and was later extinguished by the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department. Authorities said the vehicle was a total loss.
Investigators later confirmed the initial incident involved the theft of several items. Remains of some of the stolen property were found inside the burned vehicle.
White was transported to the Scottsboro City Jail and later transferred to the Jackson County Jail on felony charges.
Police reported that no officers or civilians were injured during the incident.
