Police pursue wanted felon

GENTRY -- Police in Gentry initiated a pursuit which continued to Springdale on Saturday when a wanted felon was identified passing through Gentry.

Officer Charles Brockmeyer, of the Gentry Police Department, attempted to stop a red extended cab Dodge pickup truck on Arkansas Highway 59 on Saturday morning, at approximately 10:25, when he recognized the vehicle and driver from a dispatched bulletin out of Rogers earlier that morning which said the driver was wanted on felony warrants and for attempting to run over a Rogers police officer.

The Rogers Police Department had pursued the vehicle and driver as well, according to police reports.

The vehicle, driven by Jesse Jouette, 26, of Rogers, is alleged to have reached speeds of 100 to 110 mph and run red lights as it travelled south on Arkansas 59 and then east on U.S. Highway 412. Jouette is alleged to have passed other traffic by driving on the shoulder.

The Arkansas State Police took over the pursuit at Tontitown but discontinued the pursuit when the truck reached Springdale because of heavier traffic and the risk to other motorists.

Jouette was later arrested in Washington County, where he was being held Monday on numerous charges, including parole violation, fleeing, reckless driving, driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license, improper display of license, theft of a motor vehicle and failure to appear. He is also being held for Rogers District Court in Benton County, where he is expected to be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.