A Guthrie man was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase through city streets in a stolen vehicle early Sunday morning, May 26.
Just after 7:30 a.m., a Guthrie police officer was handling another call when he spotted a blue Toyota SUV traveling west on Lincoln Avenue. The vehicle matched the description of one reported stolen the previous night. The officer attempted a traffic stop in the 500 block of E. Grant Street, but the driver refused to pull over and sped away.
During the pursuit, the suspect ran multiple stop signs, drove the wrong way down a one-way street in the 300 block of N. Ash, and narrowly avoided striking vehicles, including two parked cars on Warner Avenue. On Noble Avenue (SH-33), a vehicle stopped to let the chase pass through safely. The fleeing SUV also ran a red light at the Division St. and Noble Ave. intersection.
The chase began to slow when the vehicle’s front suspension was damaged. The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Michael Smith of Guthrie, attempted to jump out of the moving SUV. He was dragged briefly across the brick road before the vehicle jumped a curb and came to a stop in the 300 block of E. Cleveland Avenue.
Smith fled on foot, but officers quickly gave chase. He was spotted reaching into his pockets and placing his hand under a bush before being taken into custody.
Officers recovered nearly four grams of cocaine and fentanyl, as well as marijuana. According to police, Smith admitted to using cocaine days before the pursuit and again just one hour prior.
The stolen SUV was returned to its rightful owner.
Smith was booked into the Logan County Jail and is facing charges of aggravated attempting to elude an officer, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and trafficking in illegal drugs.
His bond has been set at $100,000 and is expected back in court on July 31 at 2 p.m.
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