From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department arrested two people after a shoplifting case turned into a near-death experience for one officer.
Reginald Jermaine Nelson, 39, of Birmingham, and Tavares Prince Nelson, 39, of Ensley, are both charged with attempted murder and robbery.
Trussville Police were first dispatched to Walmart on a call about a shoplifting incident at 9:50 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The suspect was accused of stealing $122.60 worth of assorted merchandise from the store.
When the officer arrived on the scene, he said he found Walmart’s Loss Prevention Officer in a scuffle with the suspect, Reginald Nelson. The officer attempted to pull the suspect off of the Walmart employee but the suspect took off through the parking lot, according to a police report.
The officer chased Reginald Nelson into the parking lot and next to his car where police said he threw his keys to his cousin, who was standing near the car. Reginald Nelson is then accused of continuing to run and telling his cousin to run over the police officer.
The officer reported he was nearly hit by the vehicle and was injured when the car’s mirror hit his hand.
Reginald Nelson got into the vehicle and the two left the shopping center, according to police. As they were leaving, other officers spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. When the driver refused to pull over, police said they followed the vehicle onto Chalkville Mountain Road towards Grayson Valley and onto Sweeney Hollow Road.
Police chased the vehicle for a short period of time but the pursuit was called off because of high speeds. Police Chief Eric Rush said the officers in charge were concerned that the driver was a threat to public safety because he was traveling around 75 mph.
Rush said the silver 1996 Park Avenue the suspects were in crashed one minute and 30 seconds after the chase was called off.
The crash occurred on Sweeney Hollow Road at Tyler Loop Road, in Pinson. The vehicle flipped and the crash caused damage to power lines in the area. The roadway was closed for hours while first responders and Alabama Power worked to clear the scene.
Trussville Police and deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office worked together to identify the suspects and take them into custody. Center Point Fire and Rescue responded to evaluate the condition of the suspects.
Reginald Nelson and Tavares Nelson were taken to the Trussville City Jail. They will be transported to the Jefferson County Jail on bonds totaling $70,000 each.
The officer injured was treated and released by Trussville Fire and Rescue.