A robbery suspect led police on a chase through Oktibbeha County Monday morning, before wrecking his truck.
Gabriel Arshawn Chapman, 22, of 409 Houston Ave. in Jackson, took cash from a register at Walmart in Starkville shortly after midnight, according to police.
Two Starkville police officers were called to the scene, where Chapman resisted arrest and assaulted them. The two officers Tased Chapman “several times,” but it didn”t stop the suspect from fleeing in his Chevrolet pickup, Starkville Police Chief David Lindley said.
“We believe he was on drugs or narcotics or having a psychotic episode,” Lindley said.
Chapman fled Walmart down Highway 82 before wrecking his truck in Mathiston, where again he struggled with police.
Chapman, who wasn”t armed during either physical altercation with police, is charged with robbery of a commercial business, aggravated assault on a police officer, felony fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct (failure to comply). Additional charges may be sought pending further investigation.
Lindley said officers seized cash from Chapman but, per department policy, wouldn”t divulge how much.
Chapman remains at the OCH Regional Medical Center where he is being treated for injuries from his wreck.
The officers involved suffered “cuts and scrapes” but no serious injuries, Lindley said.
The Starkville Police Department was assisted by the Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mathiston Police Department.
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