By Carol Robinson
al.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Two young girls led officers from multiple law enforcement agencies on an interstate chase from one end of Jefferson County to the other Sunday afternoon.
The incident began at 4:50 p.m. when a woman flagged down Bessemer police officers at Walmart. She told officers that her granddaughter, who police believe to be 11 years old, took her Ford Ranger on Saturday.
The grandmother told police that she had filed a police report with the Jefferson County sheriff’s office and that she had just seen the vehicle at Taco Bell in Bessemer.
As the officers approached the truck, the girls took off and a short case ensued. Bessemer police Chief Mike Roper said at one point the girls – either both 11 or one 11 and one 12 – were traveling in excess of 80 miles per hour.
Officers ran the tag, which did not come back as stolen, so Bessemer police called off their portion of the chase because of the potential for danger.
State Troopers and other agencies had joined in and the chase continued. It ended at least 30 miles later in a ditch near Exit 148 in Argo.
Alabama State Trooper Justin O’Neal said no one was injured in the chase. He said more information could later be released.
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