MOBILE, Ala. — Two teenagers are under arrest after a Mobile stolen vehicle chase Tuesday evening that started near St. Stephens Road and ended on West Clark Avenue, where the driver and a passenger jumped out and ran before officers caught them, according to the Mobile Police Department.
Police identified the driver as Demarion Butler-Pearson, 19, and the passenger as Kevin Butler Jr., 18. Butler-Pearson is charged with attempting to elude and first-degree theft of property. Butler is charged with attempting to elude, police said.
The charges are accusations, and both young men are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
How the Chase Unfolded
According to an MPD news release, officers were in the area of St. Stephens Road and Wilson Avenue at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when they spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but police said the driver took off instead of stopping. The pursuit was brief and ended on West Clark Avenue, where police said the driver and a passenger got out of the vehicle and ran.
Officers caught both teenagers shortly after they fled on foot, according to police. The department did not report any injuries or crashes connected to the chase.
Vehicle Was Reported Stolen the Day Before
Police said the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Lowe’s on the East I-65 Service Road on Monday, Oct. 19, one day before officers spotted it near St. Stephens Road.
Police have not released the make or model of the vehicle or said how it was taken from the store’s parking lot. They also have not said whether investigators believe either teen was involved in the original theft or only in driving and riding in the vehicle on Tuesday.
The Charges Explained
Here is a general overview of the charges police announced:
- Attempting to elude a law enforcement officer: Under Alabama law, a driver who knowingly flees or tries to elude an officer after being signaled to stop can be charged with attempting to elude. The same charge can apply to a person who flees on foot. Both teens face this charge.
- First-degree theft of property: In Alabama, theft of a motor vehicle is classified as theft of property in the first degree regardless of the vehicle’s value. It is a Class B felony. Only Butler-Pearson, the driver, faces this charge, according to police.
The penalties a person could face depend on the specific facts, any prior record and how a case is resolved, and police have not said whether additional charges are possible.
What Happens Next
People arrested in Mobile are typically booked into Mobile County Metro Jail. Bond information for Butler-Pearson and Butler was not included in the police department’s announcement.
In Alabama, a felony case such as a first-degree theft charge generally begins in district court with an initial appearance, where a judge reviews the charge and conditions of release. A defendant may request a preliminary hearing, at which a judge decides whether there is probable cause to send the case on. Felony cases are then presented to a grand jury, which decides whether to issue an indictment before the case moves to circuit court for arraignment and, if it is not resolved earlier, trial. Lesser charges are generally handled in district or municipal court.
Court dates for the two teens had not been announced.
Where It Happened
St. Stephens Road is one of Mobile’s longtime major roadways, running northwest from the downtown area. The chase began near its intersection with Wilson Avenue and ended on West Clark Avenue, both within the city of Mobile. The Lowe’s where police say the vehicle was stolen sits along the East I-65 Service Road, a busy commercial strip lined with stores and restaurants.
Protecting Your Vehicle
Vehicle thefts from busy retail parking lots are a recurring concern for shoppers. Law enforcement agencies generally recommend a few simple habits to reduce the risk:
- Always lock your doors and take your keys or key fob with you, even for a quick stop.
- Never leave a vehicle running unattended.
- Keep valuables, including spare keys and garage door openers, out of sight or out of the vehicle.
- Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas when possible.
- If your vehicle is stolen, report it to police right away with the license plate number and a description; quick reports help officers spot stolen vehicles on the road, as happened in this case.
Anyone with information about vehicle thefts in Mobile can contact the Mobile Police Department. In an emergency, call 911.
