Rodgers accused of fleeing in stolen car

Michael Jerome Rodgers, Sr., 39, was arraigned in Blytheville District Court on several charges Wednesday, after allegedly driving a stolen 2014 Ford Mustang at a high rate of speed.

Rodgers, 39, faces charges of possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), fleeing by vehicle, theft by receiving (a stolen 2014 Ford Mustang), driving on suspended license, possession of an instrument of a crime, tampering with evidence and several traffic offenses.

According to Blytheville Criminal Investigations Division Commander, Capt. Scott Adams, police noticed Rodgers speeding while they were patrolling the Chickasawba area around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

"Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle near the area of Chickasawba and 10th, at which point it accelerated and continued north on 10th Street," Adams said. "After a brief pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop at a residence on Webster, at which point officers ordered the occupant out of the vehicle."

Police apprehended Rodgers and ran the vehicle tag, which reportedly belonged to another vehicle.

"Officers then entered the vehicle's identification number into a nationwide database, at which point it was discovered that the 2014 Ford Mustang was listed as a stolen item from the New Madrid County Sheriffs Office in Missouri from July 2015," Adams said. "Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, officers located approximately one gram of suspected marijuana that the defendant had apparently attempted to eat."

"A further search also revealed a concealed black BB pistol, an item which is commonly used in criminal offenses, due to it being indistinguishable at a distance from a real handgun. Rodgers, an active probationer, was found to have a suspended driver's license and had been convicted of the offense six times since 2013."

Rodgers was transported to the Mississippi County Sheriffs Office Tuesday and then arraigned on Wednesday.

He was bound over to Circuit Court and his bond was set at $20,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.