High Speed Chase from Saline Co. to Pulaski Co.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Saline County man is jailed after leading law enforcement on a 36-minute chase Wednesday morning.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) began the pursuit of Michael Brooks Morgan around 9:30 in the Avilla area. It continued through Saline County to Pulaski County to Little Rock to North Little Rock and back to Pulaski County. 

The SCSO was chasing Morgan as part of a burglary investigation that began last week. Several burglaries and break-in & enterings (B&E) had been reported in the Avilla area. Neighbors had told investigators an older model white SUV with body damage was seen in the vicinity before the burglaries. A be on the look-out (BOLO) had been broadcasted by Saline County 911 dispatchers for that vehicle possibly being involved in the crimes. 

Minutes before this morning’s pursuit began, a call had been dispatched in the Avilla area where a vehicle matching that description was spotted, and the driver was seen looking around an out-building. 

An SCSO sergeant in the area tried to stop the vehicle on W. Avilla Road, but the driver refused to pull over. 

The chase ended when deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office placed spike-strips in the road ahead of the suspect vehicle, which then became inoperable.

Suspecting the driver might try to run off, the SCSO sergeant got out of his vehicle and ran about 25 yards through a thick briar patch to arrest Morgan. The sergeant had minor cuts and scrapes and ripped his pants and shirt.

The SCSO says Morgan was found to have active felony warrants and misdemeanor warrants from two separate jurisdictions, as well as being an absconder. In addition to those charges, Morgan has been charged with felony fleeing, numerous traffic violations and felony narcotics violations. Deputies say evidence was recovered from inside the vehicle which led directly back to the burglaries and B&Es from last week. Morgan was also charged with theft by receiving.

“Without the community actively providing information since last week, this apprehension would have never been possible. Sheriff (Rodney) Wright would like to thank everyone in the community who aided the SCSO by providing information,” read a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.

The North Little Rock Police Department, Arkansas State Police and Saline County Office of Emergency Management (dispatchers) assisted the SCSO in the chase.