Police chased a Wadesboro man through town and into a soybean field before arresting him on multiple charges on Aug. 14.

Ellis Gene Smith, 35, was arrested after what police say started as a simple traffic stop. Chief Thedis Spencer said his officers saw that a silver Land Rover had an expired tag and knew that the driver had a suspended license.

When the officers tried to pull him over, Smith allegedly sped off down Highway 109 South, “driving carelessly” into oncoming traffic, Spencer said.

Police continued to chase Smith by vehicle until the suspect drove into a a soybean field and into a ravine before running on foot, Spencer said. Officers pursued and arrested him.

Smith was charged with felony fleeing to elude with a motor vehicle, misdemeanor failure to heed lights or a siren, misdemeanor driving while his license was revoked, misdemeanor driving with an expired registration card and/or tags, misdemeanor driving with unsealed alcohol in the passenger area, two counts of misdemeanor resisting a public officer, and one count of being a habitual felon.

Smith had his first court appearance on Tuesday after the press deadline. He is being held in the Anson County Jail under an $85,000 secured bond.

Smith
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Ellis-Eugene-Smith.jpgSmith

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com

Staff Writer Imari Scarbrough may be reached at 704-694-2161, ext. 2302 or on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.