The Martinsville Police Department was advised by the United States Marshals Service on Jan. 10 of the possible location of a fugitive with outstanding warrants.
Joseph Lamont Ott, 34, had outstanding warrants for bank robbery and battery in Palm Beach County, Florida, along with felony assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics out of Henry County, and multiple capias for fail to appear in court and probation violation in Martinsville.
Surveillance was put into place for the location while additional resources were responding. Before those resources could arrive, Ott allegedly left the residence in a silver Mitsubishi SUV.
Martinsville Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it allegedly would not stop, and a chase ensued. The chase allegedly left the city limits, traveling south on Greensboro Road, but then turned onto Rives Road and entered back into the city.
When the chase proceeded down Circle Court, the vehicle allegedly did not stop for the stop sign and struck a silver Chevrolet pickup.
The driver allegedly fled on foot, and was captured not far from the collision. The driver of the pickup truck was examined and treated by the Martinsville Fire & EMS.
Ott was taken to the local hospital to examine injuries received in the crash.
In addition to the outstanding charges, Ott also will be charged with the felony charges of attempting to elude police and hit and run. Further investigation also recovered an AR-style rifle, a handgun, and a quantity of narcotics.
Assisting in the apprehension and investigation are the U.S. Marshals Service, the Virginia State Police, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
