Michael Kendrick

A parolee released less than 30 days ago is back in custody after reportedly stealing gas from D.J.'s in Lamar and leading deputies on a pursuit covering two counties.  At approximately 11:33 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 the clerk reported to the Sheriff's Office that a male subject in a silver car drove off without paying for gas and was headed east on Highway 64.  The clerk was able to write down the license plate number on the car.  A Lamar firefighter followed the car from D.J.'s  to Highway 359 and reported to deputies the location of the car. Approximately 6 minutes later, Deputy Tyler Holt caught up to the car and stopped it on Highway 359.  Deputy Holt walked up to the car and when he was near the rear of the car the driver sped off.  Deputy Holt started after the car again and Deputy Matt Ross arrived as the pursuit started.  Both Deputies chased the car onto side roads where they eventually ended up on Highway 333 north of London and took several side roads, where they ended up on Mill Creek Road between London and Russellville.  The vehicle continued into Russellville where the driver turned onto Marina Drive.  Once on Marina Drive, the driver was driving on the wrong side of the road.  The driver finally stopped at hisresidence on Damascus Road near Lake Dardanelle State Park where he was taken into custody.  Units from Lamar P.D., Pope County S.O. and Russellville P.D. assisted in the pursuit.  During the pursuit, Deputies could only see one person in the car, but once the car was stopped it was determined that there was a female passenger and a 4 year-old child in the car.  Both were laying down during the pursuit.  The driver, Michael Kendrick, age 26 of Russellville is charged with Fleeing (Felony), Endangering The Welfare Of A Minor (Felony), Fictitious Tags, No Child Restraint, No Drivers License, No Insurance, Careless/Prohibited Driving, No Seat Belt, Speeding (74/55).  According to a statement from Kelly Kendrick, the passenger, she was pleading with her husband to pull over and stop but he would not until he got to his house. More charges are possible pending further investigation.