SPRINGDALE, Ark. — A new update has been released in the high-speed pursuit case involving an allegedly stolen U-Haul that started in Oklahoma and ended in Arkansas on Feb. 7.
According to court records, 21-year-old Trenton Johnson has pleaded not guilty to felony fleeing and possession of explosives in Washington County.
The pursuit initially started as a traffic stop in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, where police were alerted about a stolen vehicle. When police attempted a traffic stop, the allegedly stolen U-Haul took off, hitting another vehicle in the process. Though the victims of that vehicle were reported to appear okay, a high-speed chase began.
The chase led into Springdale, where the Tontitown Police Department (TPD) took over. Officials said the chase reached over 120 mph. TPD said they conducted a "tactical intervention" to end the chase on I-49 which resulted in the officer's vehicle rolling multiple times, causing him minor injuries.
Cory Robert Mercier, 21, and Trenton Johnson, 21, both of Michigan, were eventually arrested. The release states officials found firearms and Molotov cocktails inside the U-Haul.
Johnson is currently being held in the Benton County Jail on a $125,000 bond where he's also facing multiple other charges. His next court date is set for Nov. 4, 2024, at 8 a.m., court records show. He's also set to appear in Benton County court on April 15, for arraignment on other charges.
Although he pleaded not guilty to charges out of Washington County, he is being held in the Benton County Jail because the chase ensued in both counties.
Meanwhile, Mercier is set to be arraigned in the same hearing. Both, are wanted by Michigan authorities for attempting to run over police officers, according to officials.
Stay with 5NEWS for updates on this developing story.
Full dashcam video:
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.