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Sonic robbery suspect caught after 100 mph chase Monday
After the Sonic robbery, lawmen chased Fulton Holmes Jr., 21, at speeds of 100 mph from Jackson down Highway 43 where he abandoned his car near his home and fled on foot. He was soon apprehended. According to Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge, Holmes is charged with first-degree robbery in connection with the Sonic robbery and faces other charges in Washington County as well. Burge said around 7:15 a.m., Monday, the Washington County Sheriff's office notified his department of an attempted robbery at Harris Grocery in Wagarville and that the suspect was northbound on U.S. Highway 43 in a red vehicle. Jackson Police Sgt. Josh Garrett set up on the Clarke County side of the Tombigbee River bridge. Chief Burge said Holmes is accused of entering the Sonic, with a gun, and demanding money. "One clerk asked the suspect to stop waving his gun around and also inquired if she could finish waiting on a customer at the drive-up window. Holmes reportedly agreed and when the clerk handed the customer his order she told him they were being robbed and to call the police. The customer did what the clerk asked and Jackson Police responded. In the meantime, a second Sonic clerk said he would get the robber his money and called police when he went to the back of the building. Holmes apparently became apprehensive and left before obtaining any money, fleeing in his 2008 red Toyota Corolla down Ocre Avenue toward Highway 43. Jackson Police Officer Ben Marshall met him on Ocre and pursued him north on 43. The suspect then made a uturn and headed south. Marshall gave chase and Sgt. Garrett joined him as did Clarke County Sheriff 's Department deputies. With speeds reaching 100 mph on the rain-slickened highway, the Washington County Sheriff and McIntosh Police departments were notified. After crossing into Washington County, the suspect reportedly drove south in the northbound lane for sometime. As Holmes approached the McIntosh jurisdiction, he switched back to the southbound side of U.S. 43. Officer Brad Singleton deployed a set of spike strips in an attempt to puncture the suspect's tires and end the chase. The two passenger side tires were punctured, greatly reducing the automobile's speed, but Holmes continued to drive south on his rims. Sometime during the chase, the front passenger side window of the vehicle was blown out. Although unconfirmed, it is believed Holmes may have shot out the window in an attempt to shoot at the pursuing Jackson officers. The chase continued to Mt. Vernon, where Holmes turned onto Weaver Road. That portion of the chase ended when Holmes reached the dead end of Weaver Road. The suspect jumped from his vehicle and fled into the woods near a residence, later determined to be where he lived with his father, Fulton Holmes Sr. Officers found the younger Holmes hiding in the attic of the house and placed him under arrest. As of Tuesday, he was being held in the Jackson City Jail. He is charged with first degree robbery, which if convicted, carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. He also faces additional charges in Washington County.
Chief Burge thanked all of the agencies who responded and assisted during the pursuit.
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