Suspect arraigned after two-state chase

FAYETTEVILLE — One of two Michigan men who police say led officers on a twostate chase pleaded innocent in Washington County Circuit Court to criminal possession of explosives and fleeing.

Police say the stolen van they crashed was loaded with guns and Molotov cocktails.

Robert Mercier and Trenton Johnson, both 21, face multiple criminal charges in different jurisdictions. Johnson was arraigned in Washington County on March 15.

A news release from Tontitown police says both men were arrested Feb. 7 in connection with three counts of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, possession of destructive devices, felony fleeing, second-degree battery, four counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest and multiple felony offenses from other agencies. Both men also are wanted by Westland, Mich., police in attempting to run over multiple police officers, the release says.

The pursuit began when a police officer in Locust Grove, Okla., tried to stop a van bearing the U-Haul logo that was reported stolen, according to the release. Mercier was driving the van and struck a car head-on near Colcord, Okla., while trying to evade law enforcement, the release says. Several agencies were notified, and police pursued the van east on U.S. 412, entering Tontitown after 5 p.m.

The pursuit ended just outside the Tontitown city limits on Interstate 49. A Tontitown officer used a tactical maneuver to end the chase, according to the release. The officer’s patrol car rolled multiple times before coming to a rest. The officer received hospital treatment and was released with minor injuries, the release says.

A Tontitown officer used pepper spray on Mercier to get him out of the car, according to a police spokesman.

The pursuit reached speeds of at least 120 mph, according to the release. Officers found firearms and improvised flammable devices inside the van, the release says.