KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Suspect jailed after robbery, high speed chase

Suspect jailed after robbery, high speed chase

By Bob Hallmark - bio | email
Posted by Ellen Krafve - bio | email

GILMER, TX (KLTV) - A daylight robbery sends East Texas officers on a wild chase, topping speeds of 100 miles per hour. Tonight, the suspect is in the Upshur County Jail, and officers caught the whole ordeal on tape. Pittsburg police and Camp County sheriffs joined this high speed chase Wednesday on Highway 271 north of town, with a suspect already going over 100 miles per hour through the city.

"He was driving erratically at a high rate of speed through construction areas," said Detective Roxanne Warren, with Gilmer police.

"Speeds in this chase were over a 100 were well maintained at over 100 miles an hour," said Pittsburg Police Chief Richard Penn.

Police say 28-year-old Jarvis Hill of Naples was driving at an estimated 110 trying to outrun police. At gunpoint, Hill took cash from a clerk at on of the businesses at this business park then hastily beat a retreat.

"The lady that works there reported that an armed robber came into the store and demanded cash," said Warren.

Part of Highway 11 was down to one lane, with a construction crew working the road way. They had the presence of mind to clear traffic to the shoulders as they heard the chase coming.

"They realized that there was something coming their way and they did the best they could to clear the road," said Penn. "By their actions they very likely averted a catastrophic accident."

"The biggest concern in a case like this is that he'll get away," said Warren.

Hill crashed out off of FM 144 and was caught after a brief foot chase. Hill is charged with aggravated robbery. He was jailed in Morris County, but was later taken to Upshur County Jail. The stolen money was also recovered after Hill's arrest.

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