ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. — A man and woman were arrested after over a thousand dollars worth of alcohol was stolen from an ABC Store in Smithfield. The theft led to an almost hour-long police pursuit, police said.
Smithfield police said that on Thursday, about $1,300 worth of alcohol was stolen from an ABC Store on South Church Street. Smithfield police identified and pursued the suspect's vehicle leading to a 50-minute chase.
The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office, which also took part in the pursuit, said the suspect's vehicle collided with another person's car at the intersection of Benns Church and South Church Street. A child suffered minor injuries in that crash.
Authorities said the suspects continued fleeing before the chase finally came to an end at the Isle of Wight and Surry County border where the driver, Tia Browne, was apprehended.
A male suspect fled into the nearby woods. Smithfield Police, Virginia State Police, the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office, and Windsor Police searched for the suspect, but he managed to get away.
The following day police said the suspect, Christopher Cheek, tampered with and stole a vehicle in Isle of Wight. After a BOLO (Be On the LookOut) was issued for the stolen vehicle, Smithfield police spotted it with Cheek inside.
He allegedly led police on a second pursuit, this time from Smithfield into Suffolk. Police said that pursuit was eventually terminated due to safety concerns.
The vehicle was later seen on cameras re-entering Isle of Wight County. Isle of Wight deputies found the vehicle and once again pursued Cheek.
This final chase ended in a Hardee's parking lot where Cheek was taken into custody after he allegedly got out of his stolen vehicle and tried carjacking another vehicle from an elderly woman who was in the Hardee's drive-thru.
Tia Browne is charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit a felony, felony evading and eluding, and felony hit and run. Christopher Cheek is charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit a felony, obstruction of justice, felony evading and eluding, and additional charges from the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office pending where he is in custody.
"These arrests conclude a perilous chain of events that put the safety of our community and its officers at risk," Smithfield police said in a news release. "The Smithfield Police Department, along with the involved agencies, commend the dedication and bravery of all officers and personnel involved in these incidents. We are relieved to have brought these individuals to justice, ensuring the safety and security of our community."