Suspect Wanted in Alabama and Florida Arrested After Police Chase Ends in Crash Near State Line

ATMORE, Ala. (BuzzReport) — A man wanted on multiple felony warrants in both Alabama and Florida was taken into custody Tuesday after leading law enforcement officers on a vehicle pursuit that ended with a crash just across the Alabama-Florida state line, according to the Atmore Police Department.

Authorities said the incident began earlier Tuesday afternoon when officers with the Atmore Police Department located Michael Darnell Pleasant, a suspect who had reportedly been actively evading law enforcement and was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants from multiple agencies.

Investigators said undercover officers found Pleasant sitting inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the Dollar General on South Main Street near Lindberg Avenue. According to police, Pleasant was wanted on active Alabama warrants that included Felony Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement and Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. He was also wanted on outstanding warrants issued by the State of Florida.

As marked patrol units moved in to assist with the arrest, police said Pleasant fled the parking lot in the vehicle, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit.

The chase continued south on South Main Street toward the Alabama-Florida state line before officers eventually lost sight of the vehicle. A short time later, law enforcement located Pleasant’s wrecked vehicle on Greenland Road, just south of the state line in Escambia County, Florida.

Pleasant was taken into custody at the crash scene without further incident. He is currently being held at the Escambia County (Florida) Detention Center, where he will remain pending extradition and additional legal proceedings.

Authorities say today’s pursuit is expected to result in additional criminal charges in Alabama, including another count of Felony Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, on top of the warrants that were already outstanding at the time of his arrest.

Officials have not released details regarding the cause of the crash or whether anyone was injured during the pursuit.

The Atmore Police Department said the arrest marks the end of an effort to apprehend a suspect who had previously avoided law enforcement.

As with all criminal cases, Michael Darnell Pleasant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.