Pair flee after rolling vehicle
Possible auto theft charges pending
BY LELAND ACKER

The occupants of this Ford F-150 fled on foot after the roll-over accident which took place Tuesday afternoon. The couple was quickly apprehended at a nearby business. Police believe the pick-up was stolen from a rental company.

Two Oklahoma residents were taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after crashing a late-model Ford F-150 on U.S. Hwy. 69 in Rusk. Rusk Assistant Police Chief Roy Cavazoz said the driver and passenger of the vehicle, which was possibly stolen, fled on foot after the pick-up truck rolled over near Tom Ball Realty.

The couple was apprehended near Phillips Monument Company on U.S. Highway 69 south. Taken into custody were Ricky Nix of Broken Bow, Okla. and Jennifer Dowell of Hugo, Okla.

The couple aroused suspicion by fleeing the vehicle and by telling police they were from Rockwall, despite possessing Oklahoma driver's licenses.

Once in custody, emergency medical personnel examined the suspects for injuries and interviewed them.

Mr. Cavazoz said he suspected the couple was under the influence of narcotics due to the way they were behaving. This was also due to the way they responded to the questions asked by medical personnel. The vehicle was registered to a car rental company, whose name was not released. Mr. Cavazoz said the rental company said the vehicle was not authorized to be off their lot.

"We are waiting for verification that it is a stolen vehicle," he said.

Mr. Cavazoz said once the rental company confirms the vehicle stolen, then Mr. Nix and Ms. Dowell would be charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

The couple refused to be tested by police to determine if they were under the influence of narcotics. As of press time Tuesday, Mr. Cavazoz said the rental company had not yet confirmed the vehicle as stolen.