September 7, 2017
– News Director Paul Joseph
Up to eight suspects are currently being pursued in rural Beckham County following a chase that began in Wheeler County, Texas early this morning.
Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning is warning residents in the area south of I-40 between Merritt Road and Randal Road to keep their doors and windows locked as well as any outbuildings. Manning says don’t confront any individuals, but if suspicious activity is observed, call law enforcement.
Merritt Schools have been cleared by the Sheriff”s Department, but the eight suspects are still on the loose.
Following a chase in Beckham County, the suspects vehicle was left along the side of I-40 and the suspects fled south on foot. The vehicle has been impounded and inventoried. Manning says deputies allegedly found drugs and drug paraphernalia, but no weapons.
No information on the suspects has been released. No weapons were found in the vehicle.
The incident began just after midnight when a Wheeler County deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle for a violation. The deputy gave chase and notified both the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Law enforcement used an OHP helicopter during the night, but the foliage was too dense for the infrared equipment to spot the suspects.
The suspects are thought to be south of the Interstate and law enforcement is concentrating their search south and east of the area.
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