By David Howell

After a three-day search, a man accused of shooting his girlfriend and leaving her on the side of Curtis Road was apprehended Monday in a high speed pursuit that spanned two counties.

Sheriff Otis Griffin reported that Patricia Readus was allegedly shot by her boyfriend, Rodney Wilson, while they were returning from a family reunion in Sledge late last Friday.

“He left her for dead on Curtis Road,” Griffin added. Luckily a passing motorist picked her up and transported her to the hospital.

Readus, who was shot in the neck, was taken to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis and deputies began the search for her alleged shooter.

“We didn’t know if he was still in the area until we received a call on Monday reporting he was on a stolen bicycle on Asa Road,” Griffin said.

Wilson, who was being followed by the caller, stopped at a church and helped himself to a vehicle.

“A gentleman was at the church killing wasps and left his keys in his truck,” Griffin explained. Meanwhile the caller, who had also stopped at the church, updated the sheriff’s department that Wilson had stolen the truck.

Griffin, who was patrolling on Curtis Road, was only a few miles away and immediately responded.

“He was headed toward Dummyline Road and I was only a few miles behind him,” Griffin reported. The sheriff was able to catch up to Wilson in the stolen vehicle at Crowder and a high speed chase ensued.

“He turned on Hwy. 322 and went west,” Griffin said. “Three times, he almost lost control of the vehicle. Once he almost struck a passing vehicle.”

By this time Griffin had been joined in the chase by Crowder’s police chief, who was also in the vicinity.

The officers caught a break when Wilson  stopped his vehicle on Bobo Creek.

“I thougt he was going to jump off the bridge,” the sheriff commented.

Wilson then turned off the road and stopped in a field. Griffin and the chief were able to arrest Wilson without incident. They had also been joined by Quitman County deputies.

“We knew we had to quickly apprehend him,” Griffin said of the pursuit. “Anytime a person would shoot somebody and throw them out for dead, we had to get him stopped.”

Wilson has been charged with aggravated assault. An initial appearance is scheduled next week, according to Griffin.