Man Arrested after Weekend Chase
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Authorities in Henry County said a routine traffic stop Saturday lead to a chase which substantially damaged two squad cars. “Deputy Wayne Fuqua, part of the Henry County Sheriff Department had seen a suspicious vehicle around one of the churches here in Henry County. He at that time made a decision to stop the vehicle,” said Sheriff Monte Belew of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Belew said the man behind the wheel was identified as Anthony Willoughby, 28, of Paris. “The driver did state he was in route to that church to meet another Henry County Sheriff Deputy to go retrieve some property,” he adds. Sheriff Belew said the officer placed a call to the deputy to confirm Willoughby’s story. The deputy denied having an appointment with Willoughby and informed the officer of Willoughby’s history with the department. After he refused to allow the officers to search his vehicle, the officer said Willoughby fled the scene, leading officers on a chase. “They actually had to box him in. It wasn’t a high speed pursuit,” said Sheriff Belew. Sheriff Belew said a sheriff’s vehicle and Paris Department squad car sustained considerable damage. Sheriff Belew said Willoughby managed to escape the barricade. He said his officers then decided to suspend the chase for fear the public’s safety could be jeopardized. He said Willoughby was later taken into custody at his home after a two hour standoff. “He (Willoughby) said he had basically been smoking crack,” said Sheriff Belew, regarding Willoughby’s response to why he fled the scene. “I think it’s a scary story. I’m glad he’s been apprehended,” said Tommy Harding, a Gibson County resident.
