After recently escaping a Tallahatchie County jail, a man led lawmen on a high-speed car chase into adjacent Quitman County, according to Sheriff Jimmy Fly.
Leroy Gatlin, 55, of 1623 Robin Hood Lane, Memphis, was living at the Jerome Little Apartments in Sumner when he was picked up Aug. 29 and taken to the Sumner jail for processing.
He had outstanding warrants for malicious mischief and simple assault, and faced a new charge of burglary of a dwelling, noted Fly.
Gatlin was being allowed to use the jail’s telephone when he managed to escape.
Soon, a telephone call alerted officials to the theft of a 1999 Buick LeSabre from the nearby Mid-South Ag Equipment lot on U.S. 49.
The vehicle was spotted near a local school and a chase ensued.
Lawmen from the Sumner Police Department and the Tallahatchie County Sheriff’s Office pursued the vehicle into Quitman County, where units from the Lambert Police Department, Marks Police Department and Quitman County Sheriff’s Office joined the chase.
Gatlin was apprehended after the LeSabre failed to navigate a sharp turn on Mississippi 6 and crashed into the Coldwater River.
Workers prepare to hook to a Buick LeSabre Aug. 29 to pull it from waters of the Coldwater River. The car was allegedly driven by Leroy Gatlin. (Photo by Bill Knight/The Marks Review)
He was transported back to Tallahatchie County, evaluated at Tallahatchie General Hospital and returned to the county jail.
There, Fly said Gatlin was tagged with two additional charges — grand larceny and felony fleeing.
After later posting bail of $90,000, Gatlin was released.
Fly said he appreciates the assistance from the Quitman County Sheriff's Office and others who were involved in the chase.
Bill Knight of The Marks Review contributed to this story.
