ROGERS, Ark. — An Arkansas man has been arrested and is facing various charges after allegedly leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a pursuit across Northwest Arkansas.
Antonio Aguirre, 29, was arrested on June 8 and is accused of fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, kidnapping, careless or prohibited driving, refusal to submit to arrest, and obstructing governmental operations.
A probable cause affidavit with a narrative from the Lowell Police Department (LPD) said that on June 8, an officer was observing traffic on Hwy 71B near West Pleasant Grove Road in Lowell when he began following two vehicles.
The affidavit said that almost immediately after the officer began following, one of the vehicles turned abruptly onto Empire Street. The vehicle allegedly didn't use a turn signal, had defective license plate lights, and was driving "quickly."
The officer attempted a traffic stop but the suspect vehicle reportedly "took an extended period of time to stop," eventually coming to a halt near a Kum and Go gas station in Lowell, the affidavit said.
The driver, identified as Aguirre, and his passenger both said that they lacked identification. When asked to step out of the vehicle, the affidavit said the suspect then drove off, leading officers on a pursuit.
The pursuit began on Hwy 71B, going almost 20 mph over the speed limit at times and running multiple red lights as the chase entered Rogers. The affidavit said that Aguirre appeared to be trying to "lure officers out of their vehicle, only to flee again and create a greater gap."
Aguirre then entered into residential areas and ran multiple stop signs, creating a "higher risk to public safety," the affidavit said. Once on West Sunset Street in Rogers, the suspect let the passenger get out before continuing to flee. The passenger told police that she asked Aguirre to stop the vehicle but didn't, hence the kidnapping accusation.
Court documents detail that at one point, Lowell police, Rogers police, Benton County sheriff's deputies, and Arkansas State Police troopers were all involved in the pursuit.
One ASP trooper conducted a "tactical maneuver" and spun-out Aguirre's vehicle, the affidavit said. However, the suspect was able to begin fleeing again.
The trooper conducted multiple more "successful" maneuvers, but Aguirre was able to continue fleeing each time before his car was rammed by ASP.
Aguirre was eventually removed from the vehicle and tased while he was allegedly resisting arrest. A white crystallized substance appearing to be methamphetamine was found in his shoe.
The affidavit said that Aguirre "fled from or resisted law enforcement" for around 26 minutes. The pursuit was around 11 miles.
Court documents note that between the years 2014 and 2023, Aguirre had 26 arrest cycles for things such as aggravated assault, theft, reckless driving, and others.
Aguirre is expected in court on July 15. He's currently in the Benton County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
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