By Matt Cole

The Demopolis Times

Demopolis police officers were led on a high-speed chase from Demopolis to Selma early Thursday morning that ended in one arrest.

Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese said in a press release that officers responded to an alarm at SunSouth and noticed a white van leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed.

The officers gave chase east on Highway 80. The chase reached speeds of 100 miles per hour, according to Reese. He added that individuals in the van began throwing chainsaws and other items allegedly taken from SunSouth at the officers in pursuit to slow them down or cause them to wreck.

Reese said the chase ended in Selma after the suspects drove through two yards and tore down two fences. DPD officers apprehended one suspect after a brief chase on foot. The other suspect was able to flee the area.

Reese also noticed that the van used in the burglary was a stolen vehicle that had been used in other crimes in Alabama. He said other law enforcement agencies could also bring charges.

Audre Jerome Hendon, 57, of Birmingham, was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools and attempting to elude a police officer.

After his arrest, Hendon was transported back to Demopolis where he was processed and taken to the Marengo County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.

Assisting the Demopolis Police Department were the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Selma Police Department and the Alabama State Troopers.