A Raphine man and a Buena Vista woman were taken into custody by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office following a chase on Sunday night.
According to a press release from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, the chase began when deputies attempted to serve multiple felony warrants on Anthony Chase Buchanan, 41. The warrants resulted from a joint investigation between the Augusta and Rockbridge county sheriff’s offices.
The chase began in the 700 block of Spottswood Road when Augusta County deputies approached a white 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck that they believed Buchanan was operating in an attempt to serve the warrants. As they approached the vehicle, the driver fled the area “at a high rate of speed.” Efforts to get the driver to stop proved unsuccessful.
The white truck drove east toward U.S. 11 then headed south, crossing into Rockbridge County where several Rockbridge County deputies assisted in the chase.
The truck turned onto Tye River Turnpike in Steeles Tavern, driving east and then turning right onto South Bend Road and heading north back into Augusta County, at which point the Rockbridge County deputies broke off the pursuit.
The chase continued north, then west through Greenville before Augusta County deputies were able to disable the vehicle with “tire deflation devices,” with the vehicle being stopped at the intersection of Old Greenville Road and Stover School Road.
The male driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. He was later found lying in a nearby creek, “attempting to conceal himself in the water.” The driver was taken into custody and identified as Buchanan.
Buchanan has been charged with several crimes in both Augusta and Rockbridge County. In Rockbridge, he has been charged with two counts of possession of a schedule I or II drug, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm while in possession of schedule I or II drugs. In Augusta, he has been charged with one felony count of eluding police, one felony count of larceny of a motor vehicle and three counts of felony probation violation. He has also been charged with one count of failing to appear and one misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice in Augusta County.
He is currently being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail. A hearing regarding his attorney arrangements has been scheduled for June 5 in Rockbridge County General District Court, with a hearing regarding his bond scheduled in Augusta County General District Court on July 21.
The female passenger of the vehicle was identified as Kelly Nicole Reid, 41, and was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for one count of possession of a schedule I or II drug. She was released on bond and also has a hearing on June 5 in Rockbridge General District Court regarding attorney arrangements.
“This arrest was the result of strong cooperation between the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office,” Augusta County Sheriff Donald L. Smith said in the press release. “Dangerous pursuits place both law enforcement officers and the public at risk and we are thankful no one was injured during this incident. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police for their assistance during this investigation.”
