Several charges were filed in connection with a pursuit that began in North Carolina and ended when a Henry County deputy successfully performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T. Maneuver) on the vehicle.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said around 10:35 a.m. on June 3, his office was notified that the Rockingham County (NC) Sheriff’s Office was pursuing a stolen 2007 yellow Toyota sedan and was heading towards Henry County on Axton Road.
A Henry County deputy intercepted the vehicle while it was on Axton Road, near A.L. Philpott Hwy. The vehicle allegedly was traveling at a high rate of speed when the deputy began pursuit. The vehicle turned right onto A.L. Philpott Hwy. and continued heading eastbound into Pittsylvania County.
During the time the suspect vehicle was on A.L. Philpott, it allegedly swerved recklessly in and out of traffic, with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. The pursuit continued on A.L Philpott Hwy. until it reached Stoney Mill Road.
While on that road, the deputy performed the P.I.T. Maneuver, and once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver allegedly fled on foot, and was subsequently apprehended a short time later without incident.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Marcus Ledell Prunty, 51 and currently homeless. Prunty was charged in Henry County with felony eluding and driving under the influence.
Additionally, Prunty had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant from Pittsylvania County, and he was served on that charge. He is currently being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Multiple agencies were involved in this pursuit. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Caswell County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring the safety of our community and will continue to work diligently with neighboring jurisdictions to apprehend individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-Crime (632-7463).
