By Gary Lloyd
A Pinson man is one of two charged with leading Jefferson County deputies on a chase and then crashing into a deputy’s patrol car Thursday night.
Dequan Montray Brown, 30, of Pinson is charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree theft of property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking cocaine and failure to affix tax stamp. His bonds total $303,000.
Here’s what unfolded Thursday night, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian:
About 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to a reported robbery in the 100 block of Seventh Street Northeast in Graysville. The victim told them that two men had robbed him at gunpoint and taken his money and his car. A description of the vehicle was broadcast to nearby patrol units. The stolen car was located on Cherry Avenue near Republic Road and a pursuit began.
The car traveled Cherry Avenue to Heflin Avenue where the driver lost control, left the road and struck a utility pole. The car came back into the road and struck a patrol car. The two suspects were found inside the car along with an amount of cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs
. A gun believed to be used in the robbery and the money taken from the victim were also found.
The suspects were injured in the crash and were taken to UAB Hospital for treatment, where they remain today, Christian said. Their injuries are not life threatening. They will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail when released. The deputy involved was treated and released from St. Vincent Hospital for minor injuries.
The driver of the car, 25-year-old Corey Sanchez Howard, of Birmingham, is charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree theft of property, felony attempt to elude law enforcement, reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking cocaine, failure to affix tax stamp, certain persons forbidden to possess a handgun, failure to possess registered felons card and first-degree criminal mischief. Howard’s bonds total $320,000.