The man accused of leading multiple agencies on a high-speed pursuit last month has formally been charged.
A Granite, Oklahoma man, Samuel Herman Pence, 24, was taken into custody on November 15th, 2024, after a high-speed chase across Beckham County and into Wheeler County, Texas. The incident began with a vehicle crash and escalated as the suspect attempted to evade law enforcement.
Authorities responded to a vehicle accident on County Road 1940 near Elk City. At the scene, deputies found a heavily damaged vehicle abandoned with debris scattered nearby. Witnesses identified the driver as Pence, who fled the scene wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.
Further investigation revealed the wrecked vehicle, a 2014 Chrysler 300, had been reported stolen from Mangum, Oklahoma. Deputies confirmed the vehicle’s tag number matched the stolen car.
After searching nearby areas without success, authorities later located a silver Chevrolet pickup parked in a driveway near the crash site. The suspect, matching the earlier description, was inside. When confronted, Pence attempted to flee, leading officers on a dangerous pursuit.
The chase reached speeds of 100 mph along Highway 6, weaving through a construction zone where multiple vehicles were struck. Stop sticks were deployed, puncturing the vehicle's tires and forcing it off the road near Wheeler, Texas. A Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) ended the pursuit.
Pence was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being booked on charges of:
Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Knowingly Receiving Stolen Property
The Chevrolet pickup involved in the chase was confirmed stolen from a nearby location where its owner had been working at the time of the incident.
Authorities are continuing their investigation. The Beckham County Sheriff's Office has formally filed the case with the District Attorney's Office, and Pence now faces charges for his involvement in the pursuit.
