The pursuit of an expensive stolen horse trailer from Henry County ended in Huntingdon at the Granges plant on Saturday morning, June 17. The trailer-towing truck was pursued by law enforcement in Henry, Benton, and Carroll counties.
Zachary Perales, 32, of Clarksville, and Jason Mercer, 39, of Paris, were charged with numerous crimes relating to the theft, pursuit, and what happened when they were arrested. Mercer, who was a passenger in the truck, is the truck’s owner.
As Perales and Mercer sped through Benton County, they were pursued by officers from both the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and the Camden Police Department (CPD). Officers attempted to stop them but were unsuccessful.
When the culprits entered Carroll County, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Sgt. Steven Scott put spike strips down on the highway in front of the jail. Running over the spikes resulted in two flat front tires for the truck, which finally came to a stop on the overpass in Huntingdon.
Mercer immediately was taken into custody, but Perales threw the truck back into gear in an attempt to escape. In the process of leaving the scene, Perales damaged two CCSO patrol cars and struck Huntingdon Police Department (HPD) officer Adam Avalon, who was checked out at Baptist Hospital in Huntingdon and released.
Perales proceeded to Bill Brooks Drive, which is the entrance to the Granges plant property. He tried to drive through a fence, failed to do so, and was apprehended by officers.
Both men were arrested, transported, and booked into the Henry County Jail. Perales remains incarcerated in Henry County Jail while Mercer has been released on bond. The men were charged in all three counties, according to Carroll County Sheriff Andy Dickson.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the incident include BCSO, CCSO, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, CPD, HPD, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
