Martinsville man arrested after high speed chase

HENRY CO. (WSLS 10) A man is in jail after a police chase in Henry County.

Around 12:30 p.m. Monday, deputies received a call about John Adam Richardson, 31, of Martinsville, who they say was armed with two handguns making suicidal threats in the Woodhaven Road area.

Richardson left the area in a 2008 blue Ford Focus and was spotted by a Henry County Deputy in the parking lot of the Liberty Mart convenience store on Liberty St.

When the deputy tried to make contact with Richardson, he fled the scene resulting in a chase that lasted about 20 miles through the Collinsville area of Henry County and the City of Martinsville.

Deputies say Richardson made a series of turns that resulted in traveling North on Virginia Ave., upon reaching the 1700 block of Virginia Ave., a sheriff's office deputy utilized a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT Maneuver) causing the suspect to lose control of his vehicle and come to a stop.

After the vehicle stopped, Richardson refused to put down the two handguns he was carrying. After a brief struggle, deputies were able to remove the firearms from his possession and he was taken into custody. It was later reported that the car he was driving was stolen.

Richardson was charged with Felony Elude Law Enforcement, six counts of Assault & Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Grand Larceny, Brandishing a Firearm, Possession of a Concealed Weapon, and Driving While Suspended.

He is in jail without bond.

Anyone having information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff's Office at (276) 638-8751 or the Crimestoppers Program at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.