Search for fugitive ends with chase, unexpected arrest

HOT SPRING COUNTY, AR - Five different law enforcement agencies chased a black Honda Accord through Hot Spring County Wednesday. Speeds topped out around 100 miles per hour, and at times -- the fleeing driver got dangerously close to school zones.

"We're operating under the belief that it could very well be Mr. Brown," said Sgt. Jerry McAnear. Mr. Brown is Donald Brown, who should have turned himself in to serve six years in prison on drug charges this week. Instead, he cut off his ankle monitor and never showed up.

That's why five agencies responded to the chase, and why several concerned people called 911.

Explained McAnear, "they were just concerned that there was a, quote, manhunt. Nobody knew if he was dangerous or if he was armed."

The fleeing suspect eventually went off-road and managed to lose police in heavy brush. Didn't matter, he ended up wrecking his Honda and a few hours later, turned himself in.

Just one problem: the person who eluded police all afternoon -- wasn't Donald Brown.

"It was not Mr. Brown that was involved in the vehicle pursuit," said McAnear. "That was actually a 17-year-old boy."

And that brings us to Thursday.

"We're attempting to locate him in all of this area," said Det. Philip Calhoun from behind the wheel of his truck. Deputies started their search for Brown all over again Thursday on the same winding back roads they chased the 17-year-old through the day before. At least this time, they aren't driving anywhere close to 100 miles per hour.

Hot Spring County deputies are still searching for Brown, and ask anyone with any information about his whereabouts to please give them a call. As for the 17-year-old in the police chase, he's now looking at 11 different charges, including reckless driving.