Bauxite Officer

Bauxite officer shoots suspect who leads authorities on chase
Monday, 08 June 2009

A man who reportedly led police on a chase Sunday was shot by a Bauxite officer.
The Saline County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the incident, Lt. Jerry Morrison said.
Around 3 p.m., Constable Scott Chaloner was behind the vehicle, which authorities said was stolen. Chaloner attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver would not stop.
Bauxite police Officer James Linker and the sheriff’s Deputy Jordan Ables then became involved in the pursuit.
The deputy reportedly was trying to put down stop strips at West Sardis and South Alexander roads when the suspect allegedly aimed his vehicle at the Bauxite officer.
The Bauxite officer then fired shots and struck the driver, authorities said. Two passengers in the vehicle were uninjured, authorities said.
The driver, whose identity sheriff’s authorities did not know, was taken to an area hospital. Sheriff Bruce Pennington said he believes the suspect was taken to Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, but a spokesman at the hospital said the driver was not there.
Authorities obviously do not know the condition of the victim at this time.
Arkansas State Police have taken over the investigation and declined to comment further.
Attempts to reach Bauxite police were unsuccessful. But according to another news report, Bauxite Police Chief Jimmy Hood said the officer has been put on administrative leave with pay while state police investigate.