The
man accused of leading multiple agencies on a high-speed pursuit last
month has formally been charged.
A
Granite, Oklahoma man, Samuel Herman Pence, 24, was taken into
custody on November 15th, 2024, after a high-speed chase across
Beckham County and into Wheeler County, Texas. The incident began
with a vehicle crash and escalated as the suspect attempted to evade
law enforcement.
Authorities
responded to a vehicle accident on County Road 1940 near Elk City. At
the scene, deputies found a heavily damaged vehicle abandoned with
debris scattered nearby. Witnesses identified the driver as Pence,
who fled the scene wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.
Further
investigation revealed the wrecked vehicle, a 2014 Chrysler 300, had
been reported stolen from Mangum, Oklahoma. Deputies confirmed the
vehicle’s tag number matched the stolen car.
After
searching nearby areas without success, authorities later located a
silver Chevrolet pickup parked in a driveway near the crash site. The
suspect, matching the earlier description, was inside. When
confronted, Pence attempted to flee, leading officers on a dangerous
pursuit.
The
chase reached speeds of 100 mph along Highway 6, weaving through a
construction zone where multiple vehicles were struck. Stop sticks
were deployed, puncturing the vehicle’s tires and forcing it off the
road near Wheeler, Texas. A Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) ended
the pursuit.
Pence
was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for
evaluation before being booked on charges of:
Larceny
of a Motor Vehicle
Knowingly
Receiving Stolen Property
The
Chevrolet pickup involved in the chase was confirmed stolen from a
nearby location where its owner had been working at the time of the
incident.
Authorities
are continuing their investigation. The Beckham County Sheriff’s
Office has formally filed the case with the District Attorney’s
Office, and Pence now faces charges for his involvement in the
pursuit.
