Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Meth Lab Dumped On Highway During High Speed Chase

Speeding through Emmet led to three people being arrested on drug charges Saturday.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell, a 1995 Buick, owned by Penny Hicks of Perrytown, came through Emmet at a high rate of speed around 10:45 p.m. Saturday.

Otwell gave chase, with the suspect vehicle turning onto Highway 299 heading toward Interstate 30. The chase resulted in speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, before the Buick was finally stopped.

During the chase, Otwell said, suspects inside the car threw out several items.

When the car was stopped, one suspect, Russell May, 33, of Hope, fled on foot. Officers had a dog called to help with the search, but were unable to find May after two hours.

The other two, Randall Rebman, 30, of Hope, and a 16-year-old youth, also of Hope, were arrested at the scene.

In the midst of the chase, Otwell said, the smell of chemicals permeated his patrol car.

Once the suspects had been arrested, officers went back and picked up what had been thrown from the fleeing car.

The items turned out to be equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

May was found Sunday evening in a back room of the Hicks home in Perrytown, where he was placed under arrest.

Hicks' vehicle, Otwell said, has been confiscated by the NCSO.

The three have been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, possession of a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine, felony fleeing, reckless driving and littering.

Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to 8th Judicial District North Prosecuting Attorney Randy Wright, is a class Y felony punishable by imprisonment in the Arkansas Department of Corrections from 10 to 40 years or life.

The manufacture of a controlled substance, he said, is a class B felony.

Otwell said it has not been determined yet, if the minor will be charged as an adult.