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Roger Lee Champion
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
An Alexander City man ultimately turned himself in after racking up 10 charges following a high-speed chase in an allegedly stolen vehicle.
Chief Deputy Scott Hammond reported that on April 4, deputies Brown and Kelley were at Allen Food Mart on U.S. Highway 280 when they observed a white van pull into the parking lot. The van appeared to be one they were looking for a few weeks prior that had a switched tag.
They ran the vehicle’s tag to confirm and were advised that it had been switched. Hammond said the driver exited the store and that the deputies recognized the driver, who proceeded to get into the van and pull onto Highway 280.
Brown and Kelley followed the van onto the highway and initiated their blue lights to conduct a stop. However, the vehicle fled, leading to a high-speed chase.
At one point during the pursuit, the driver threw an object from the van, which hit the deputies’ windshield. The chase ended when the vehicle wrecked on County Road 111.
The driver, Roger Lee Champion, then fled on foot into the woods. After searching the area, Champion could not be located.
Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and found Champion’s wallet and identification. They ran the van’s vehicle identification number and were advised that it was stolen from Chesterfield, Va.
The vehicle was towed, and warrants were obtained for Champion for possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving, driving while revoked, switched tag, failure to register a vehicle, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving on the wrong side of the road, improper lane usage, improper muffler/exhaust, and attempting to elude law enforcement officers.
Two days later, on April 6, 35-year-old Champion of Alexander City contacted investigator Sgt. Ward regarding turning himself in. He was arrested the same day on all 10 charges.
His total bond was set at $40,000. As of press time he remained in custody at the Coosa County Jail awaiting trial.
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