Pursuit on Drug Traffickers enters Arkansas - SPIKES & PIT Maneuver ends high speed chase #police

Report:

On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, at approximately 2:24 P.M., I was notified by dispatch that Sequoyah County, Oklahoma,
and Oklahoma Highway Police were in pursuit of two vehicles heading eastbound on I-40, entering Arkansas. Cpl. Cort
Williams responded to the 3 mile marker on I-40 and waited for the vehicles.

At 2:30 P.M., Cpl. Williams advised he was trailing
one of the suspect vehicles, a black Chevrolet Tahoe with California tags. Cpl. Williams pursued the vehicle eastbound on I-40
at speeds over 100 miles per hour. The vehicle took the I-540 southbound exit ramp and Cpl. Williams performed a Tactical
Vehicle Intervention (TVI). The vehicle left the roadway but regained control and continued to flee southbound on I-540.

I observed the suspect vehicle pass by and exit onto U.S. Highway 64, heading towards Alma. The vehicle fled eastbound on
U.S. Highway 64 at reckless speeds and was passing vehicles on the shoulder. The suspect then turned and went back
westbound on U.S. Highway 64. Cpl. Williams attempted another Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), at which point the suspect
slammed on the brakes, causing Cpl. Williams to rear-end the suspect vehicle, rendering his patrol unit inoperable. I then
assumed the role of the primary unit in the pursuit.

During my involvement, the Tahoe reached speeds exceeding 130 mph while traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 64. As we
entered Alma, Officer Colton Gregory of the Alma Police Department successfully deployed spike strips, disabling the suspect’s
front left tire. After this. the suspect rammed another truck on the driver's side.

The pursuit continued for several miles at
reckless speeds, with the suspect occasionally driving against oncoming traffic, nearly striking several vehicles. A short
distance later, the suspect crashed at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and Firefly Lane, causing damage to a fence. The
suspect fled on foot, and I pursued him through several backyards. I observed the suspect enter a garage and attempt to steal
a vehicle. The suspect then fled into a nearby tree line and jumped over a fence. I pursued, jumping the fence and ordering the
suspect to the ground, at which point he complied.

The suspect was identified as Derrick Scrudder. Upon securing Scrudder, I escorted him back to his vehicle, where a search of
the cargo area revealed two locked suitcases. The keys to these locks were found in Scrudder’s pocket. Upon unlocking the
suitcases, I discovered 15 large bundles of suspected methamphetamine and a kilo-sized bundle of suspected fentanyl. The
methamphetamine weighed approximately 240 lbs, and the fentanyl weighed 2.2 lbs. Additionally, I located $4,300 in cash on
Scrudder’s person.

Meanwhile, the second vehicle involved in the pursuit, driven by Matthew Bunch, was being pursued by Oklahoma Highway
Patrol Trooper Josh Aden. Bunch entered Arkansas on I-40 and crashed into another vehicle on the exit to I-540 southbound.

Cpl. Josh Porter arrived at the scene and took Bunch into custody. It was determined that Bunch
had been tailing Scrudder’s vehicle in Oklahoma in an attempt to distract the original stopping officer from stopping Scrudder's
vehicle. Agents from the DEA and the 12th/21st Drug Task Force (DTF) responded to collect evidence and interview the
suspects.

I made contact with the owner of the fence that Scrudder crashed into, Thomas Goodin. Damage to the fence is estimated to
be $2,000.00. We are seeking restitution for this damage.

After the incident, the driver of the truck that was struck by Scudder ,Steven Smith, was contacted. We took pictures of his
damage and included his information on this report for restitution purposes (V3). There was also another subject, Jamie
Williams, who ran over debris from the pickup and caused tire damage. She is included in this report for restitution as well (V4).
Damage to Cpl. William's police unit is estimated to be around $7500.00 to $10,000.00. We are seeking restitution for this
damage.

Derrick Scrudder:
o Trafficking Schedule I Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
o Trafficking Schedule I Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony)
o Fleeing by Vehicle
o Fleeing on Foot
o Reckless Driving
o Criminal Mischief
o Leaving the Scene of an Accident
o Criminal Trespass

• Matthew Bunch:
o Trafficking Schedule I Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
o Trafficking Schedule I Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony)
o Fleeing by Vehicle
o Reckless Driving with Injury
o Criminal Mischief