Arkansas State Trooper Caviness Chases Silver Honda Civic On I530 09/16/23

On 9/16/2023, I was stationary on Interstate 530 northbound a short distance south of exit 37. I observed a Silver Honda Civic crest the hill behind me, traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed. I activated my rear radar and received a reading of 90 MPH in the 65 MPH zone. As I began to accelerate to merge onto Interstate 530 northbound, the suspect vehicle merged from the left lane onto the right shoulder, cutting between cars while performing this maneuver. The suspect vehicle then accelerated past traffic while on the shoulder before exiting at exit 37. As I accelerated to catch up to the suspect and took exit 37, I saw the suspect pass to the right of a vehicle, forcing it to the left then failing to stop at the stop sign as it turned right onto West 13th Avenue. I initiated my emergency lights and sirens as the vehicle accelerated to what appeared to be a high rate of speed on West 13th Avenue. As I pursued the suspect vehicle, I lost sight of the suspect vehicle while negotiating curves near Franklin Street. I continued in the path of the suspect vehicle and gained a clear line of sight on 13th Avenue as I approached Dearborn Street. Still unable to see the suspect vehicle, I knew the suspect vehicle had to turn onto Dearborn Street. I turned onto Dearborn Street and was able to spot the vehicle through the trees and lawns stopped on 15th Avenue. But, as I passed across from the suspect vehicle, it began to move again, traveling east on 15th Avenue. I followed Dearborn as it turned into 15th Avenue behind the suspect vehicle. I re-initiated my emergency lights and sirens as I caught up behind the suspect vehicle. The operator, who I later identified as Demetrius Ruff Jr., came to a stop after crossing the Oakwood Street intersection. I then initiated a felony traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. The operator, Demetrius Ruff, was taken into custody without further incident. After taking Mr. Ruff into custody, I conducted an administrative inventory before it was towed, where I located an open container containing alcohol in the center console and a small plastic baggie with what appeared to be the remnants of marijuana. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Insley’s wrecker service to their lot in Pine Bluff. As a result of this incident, Demetrius Ruff was issued citation numbers 000A1207674, 000A1207675, and 000A1207676 for 27-16-303: driving on a suspended license, 5-54-125(d)(1): fleeing - vehicle or conveyance, 27-50-302(a)(7): speeding - more than 15 mph over limit, 27-50-308(b)(1)(B) 1ST: reckless driving - 1st, 27-51-302: improper lane change/usage, 27-37-702: no seatbelt, 5-71-218: open container containing alcohol in motor vehicle.