A circuit judge sentenced a man to state prison Friday, according to Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton. Ameekous D. Robinson, age 44, of Helena, pled guilty to fleeing, and theft by receiving. The State of Arkansas recommended an 8-year sentence. Judge Brent Houston of Division 3 accepted the sentence.
On November 28, 2022, according to a court filing, Arkansas State Police troopers stopped a 2012 Dodge Journey on Interstate 30 eastbound, near the 121 marker (Alcoa area). The report states the reason for the stop was because the officer recognized it as stolen out of Little Rock. The troopers ordered the driver out of the vehicle. While the troopers were dealing with the driver, Percia Nash, Robinson moved from the passenger seat to the driver seat and took off in the vehicle.
After traveling at speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour, troopers performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) on the fleeing vehicle. It then hit the Interstate concrete barrier. Robinson then jumped from the vehicle, crossed three lanes of traffic on foot, and ran to the Denny’s parking lot in Bryant.
Troopers pursued and successfully arrested Robinson. At the time, Robinson was on probation for various other offenses, including robbery and fleeing in Pulaski County, and residential burglary in Phillips County.
Remarking on the sentence, Walton stated, “Fleeing vehicles represent a danger to everyone on the road. It is important to remember that Robinson decided to put lives at danger by speeding away from troopers on the Interstate. Fleeing from officers is not a get out jail free card in Saline County. Criminals coming from other counties should know that Saline County will not tolerate that sort of behavior. The Arkansas State Police are to be commended.”