A man wanted in connection with a recent Pine Bluff shooting is now in custody following a multi-agency search that ended in a crash Tuesday.
The Pine Bluff Police Department confirmed that 35-year-old Rickey Ray was arrested after a pursuit that ended near 2nd Street and Walnut.
Ray was wanted in connection with a shooting reported April 17 in the 2100 block of West 30th Avenue. He faces charges of first-degree battery and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
According to authorities, multiple law enforcement agencies had been actively searching for Ray over the past several days. He was initially located near mile marker 24 but fled on foot into a field after abandoning his vehicle. A perimeter was established with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Department of Corrections K-9 units, SWAT and U.S. Marshals, but Ray was able to evade capture at that time.
Officials said Ray was later spotted again and fled once more, this time driving recklessly through residential areas before crashing into a ditch and continuing to run on foot.
Arkansas State Police eventually located Ray and initiated a pursuit. During the chase, authorities said Ray ran a stop sign at 2nd and Walnut and struck another vehicle.
Ray sustained injuries in the crash and was taken into custody. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, according to officials.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Pine Bluff Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Department of Corrections K-9 units, U.S. Marshals and the Redfield Police Department.
Officials described the situation as dangerous and rapidly evolving, noting that multiple attempts were made to evade law enforcement. Authorities said they are thankful no innocent lives were lost during the incident.
