A high speed chase ended in front of a Van Buren business March 12. Police say the suspect in the vehicle may be connected to a road rage incident that left a man injured in Springdale.
Two people are in police custody, according to Sgt. Don Paul Bales. Officers recovered weapons and drugs from the vehicle.
Daniel Martinez-Lagoona was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center and held without bond by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. Police say Lagoona had methamphetamine on him and after the chase finally disarmed himself after repeated demands from police.
Martinez-Lagoona is also believed to be connected to a shooting that happened at the intersection of S. Thompson and S. Morlan Avenue around 9 p.m. Sunday, according to police.
The shooting victim, Steven Tinsley, 29, of Fayetteville, was shot twice in the hip and taken to Northwest Medical Center, according to police. Springdale Police say the shooting occurred after a round of road rage.
Lagoona has also been charged with False Imprisonment. Police say Helen Walker was in the back seat of the car after asking him for a ride. When the chase began she asked him to let her out of the vehicle.
Two other women were also arrested after the chase, Carol Cano is facing charges of suspicion of drug paraphernalia. Cano is being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond. Fort Smith Police interviewed the second woman, Walker and released.
Just after 5 p.m. Monday, Fort Smith officers recognized the white Nissan from a “be on the lookout” that was issued from Springdale. Officers began chasing the vehicle at an area near S. 17th and “G,” then across the Midland Bridge into Van Buren. The chase ended when the white Nissan crashed in front of a nail salon on Main St.
Officers say Lagoona was holding a gun to his head during the chase.
Police say the car had lost two tires during the pursuit. No injuries have been reported.