Jason T. Cockerham

Uriah P. Jones

     Deputies made two arrests overnight following two separate vehicle pursuits.  The first pursuit began after deputies were dispatched to the area of CR 25 and CR 793 at approximately 8:48 PM on Wednesday evening, April 10th, where it was reported that agents from a bail bonding company were attempting to take a fugitive, identified as JASON THOMAS COCKERHAM into custody.  COCKERHAM was said to be fighting with the agents and was said to be armed.  COCKERHAM managed to leave the area in a white Toyota Camry.  A short time later, Sergeant Dwight Duch saw the vehicle and attempted to initiate a stop.  COCKERHAM turned into a driveway on CR 25 and almost hit a woman who was standing in the yard.  COCKERHAM continued driving through the yard at that residence before coming back out on CR 25 heading East.  He then turned on CR 793, and the pursing deputy found where COCKERHAM had pulled into the driveway of another residence on CR 793, abandoning his vehicle there and fleeing on foot. 

     A perimeter was set up, and the canine tracking team from the Arkansas Department of Corrections – North Central Unit was called for assistance.  The Sheriff’s Office helicopter was also launched.  Once the tracking team arrived, they quickly located COCKERHAM in the woods approximately 200 yards from where he abandoned the car.  He was taken into custody at approximately 10:29 PM and was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.  He was not armed when he was captured.

     JASON THOMAS COCKERHAM, 43 years old of Oakland, Arkansas was booked on charges of:

Aggravated Assault – Felony
Fleeing – Felony
Fictitious Vehicle License – Misdemeanor
No Driver License – Misdemeanor  

        Bond on those charges is $25,000.  COCKERHAM is expected to appear today in Baxter County Circuit Court to answer.  COCKERHAM is also being held on a felony Failure to Appear warrant issued in Fulton County on original charges of Burglary, Theft, and Revocation.  He has a no bond hold on the Fulton County warrant.

     The second vehicle pursuit began this morning at approximately 2:38 AM when Deputy Craig Kocka observed a silver Hyundai Sonata bearing an Arkansas license plate that matched the description of a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Marion County.  Deputy Kocka attempted to pull over the vehicle in the area of the Scuba Doo Pro Shop on Highway 62 East of Mountain Home.  The driver slowed down, and a female jumped out of the passenger side.  The driver then began to flee at high speed headed toward Mountain Home, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour.  The driver turned on the U. S. Highway 62/412 bypass and continued West at high speed.  Sergeant Duch set up spike strips in the area of Highway 62/412 and Pebble Creek Road.  He was successful in spiking the right front passenger-side tire of the fleeing vehicle.  The tire deflated, but the driver continued West on the rim, then cutting across the median into the East bound lanes, still going West.  As the driver approached the City of Gassville, a Gassville police officer was successful in spiking the driver side front tire as well, which also deflated.  This did not stop the driver.  He continued West bound on Highway 62/412 through the City of Cotter and into Marion County driving on rims with both front tires deflated.  As the pursuit entered Marion County, the driver was still managing speeds of 85 miles per hour on the front rims. 

     At the intersection of U. S. Hwy 62/412 and State Highway 178 near Flippin, the driver lost control and crashed into the ditch.  Officers were then able to take the driver into custody after having to break out the driver side window.  The driver was identified as URIAH PLEZ JONES.

     During the course of this pursuit, URIAH JONES intentionally rammed Deputy Kocka’s Sheriff’s vehicle three or more times causing substantial damage to the Ford Crown Victoria.  Debris from JONES’ damaged vehicle also caused damage to Sergeant Duch’s Dodge Charger. 

     URIAH PLEZ JONES, 18 years old of Flippin, Arkansas was taken to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on charges of:

Aggravated Assault – Felony
Fleeing – Felony
Reckless Driving – Misdemeanor
Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor
Driving While Intoxicated by Drugs – Misdemeanor
Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test – Misdemeanor
Speeding – Misdemeanor
Improper Use of Turn Lane – Misdemeanor

    He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond and is expected to appear on April 18th in Baxter County Circuit Court to answer.  A hold has also been placed on him for Marion County.  It is believed that JONES was under the influence of bath salts and methamphetamine.

     Deputy Kocka later returned to the area where the female had jumped out of the vehicle, but he was not able to locate her again. 

      Agencies involved in this pursuit and apprehension were the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Department, Gassville Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Flippin Police Department.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff