An Oklahoman man ? who already faced a felony charge for running a police roadblock and driving drunk in his hometown earlier this summer ? was arrested in Cowley County Thursday after leading authorities on an hour-long chase.
Authorities believe Jay T. Laymon, 45, Stillwater, had been drinking this time around, too. He was taken into custody by the Cowley County Sheriff’s Department after a pursuit that covered many miles.
"I got involved in it late," Sheriff’s Capt. Bill Mueller said. "And when it was done I looked down and I had put 52 miles on my car."
The charges Laymon faces for the Cowley County incident include two counts of attempting to flee or elude law enforcement, driving while license is suspended, driving under the influence, transporting an open container and reckless driving.
Bond is set at $10,600 but authorities in Payne County, Okla asked that Laymon be held on a $20,000 felony arrest warrant for an incident that occurred June 30. During that incident, Laymon was pulled over by police, after an incident at a Stillwater retailer, according to a Payne County official and court records.
Laymon was suspected in an assault and battery when the Stillwater police pulled him over and reported he seemed to be drunk. Laymon fled but was eventually arrested for running a police roadblock, a felony.
He was also charged with driving under the influence, transporting an open container and attempting to elude or flee police.
Winfield police offered this narrative of the pursuit that led to Laymon’s most recent arrest:
Laymon was in the 1700 block of Main around 12:30 a.m, when a Winfield Police officer attempted to pull him over for speeding. The truck pulled into the parking lot of the Dillon’s grocery store, giving an indication the driver was cooperating with police.
But the blue Dodge pickup fled from officers and a pursuit began. Officers observed a woman in Laymon’s vehicle encouraging him to stop, but he did not.
Laymon drove to Strother Field and cut through a weeded area in an attempt to ditch officers. The driver and his pursuers then headed east on 202nd Road near the Magnolia Ranch area, according to a written report.
After reaching a dead end, police said the suspect turned around and drove back toward officers. Laymon turned off his lights several times in an attempt to avoid capture, according to a written a narrative of the incident.
Laymon was difficult to see through the dust being kicked up on county roads and at that point the chased ended. A short time later he was spotted at Madison and U.S. 77 by Arkansas City Police, who pursued him.
The suspect drove through ditches and fields before finally being apprehended. A sheriff’s vehicle was damaged.