Sunday night police responded to a report of a burglary at a Hueytown business. The suspects fled the scene and led police on a high-speed chase down Interstate 20 through Jefferson and St. Clair counties. The suspects were driving a silver or white Cadillac SUV. They have fired multiple rounds at officers and one officer crashed his police vehicle.
The suspect’s speed reportedly reached 115 mph. Shots were fired at the Hueytown police officer responding to the call. The suspects then sped away. Officers from the Hueytown Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Pell City Police Department, Riverside Police Department and other agencies all participated in the high-speed pursuit. There are reports of multiple shots fired at officers.
As of press time, one suspect has been captured while another is in a foot pursuit in St. Clair County. The second suspect is still reportedly on the loose and should be considered armed and dangerous.
The crime spree began when Hueytown police were called to the Birmingham Auto Auction off of Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive on a report of a burglary alarm. The suspect fired at the officers when they tried to block his vehicle there. A suspect shot at officers, wounding one officer.
Another Hueytown police car was reportedly hit by gunfire.
The suspect fled eastbound on I-20/59. Birmingham police responded to the call for aid as the suspect approached their jurisdiction. The suspect(s) also fired gunshots at the Birmingham police officers. An urgent request was put out for all possible officers to help in the pursuit.
A Birmingham police officer lost control of his vehicle and crashed east of the I-20 and I-459 junction. The officer reports no injuries but is being evaluated at an area hospital. The Birmingham officers lost sight of the suspect’s vehicle at exit 140 in the city limits of Leeds.
Officers caught back up with the suspect, who was traveling at speeds reaching 115 miles per hour, on I-20 in St. Clair County. Officers from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Pell City Police Department and Riverside Police Department all took up the pursuit.
St. Clair deputies deployed spike strips on I-20 at mile marker 179. The suspect vehicle did not stop until the 182-mile marker. A gun battle ensued. A Riverside police patrol vehicle was reportedly struck.
One suspect is in custody. Another fled on foot into the woods in St. Clair County. The escaped suspect is reportedly armed and dangerous. Authorities have established a perimeter. The public should try to avoid the area.
