DeKalb man can't outrun deputies

MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

A Smithville man just wasn't fast enough to elude Cannon County officers during a chase across the DeKalb County line.

Taken into custody was Gregory Allen Mayo, 47, of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville.
Investigators Chris Brown and Brandon Gullett made the arrest.

The officers spotted Mayo driving a beige 1996 Cadillac traveling the opposition direction on Gassaway's Main Street.
"As we approached the bridge, the vehicle drove into a gravel lot and then back on the roadway," Gullett said. In response, the officers turned their vehicle around and administered their emergency equipment.

"The vehicle then proceeded to gain speed in an attempt to flee from us. I then observed the vehicle failed to slow as it turned at the bridge heading toward Gassaway Road/Highway 53N," Gullett said.

The Cadillac then blew through the stop sign and pulled onto 53N and was soon riding the rear end of another vehicle before passing this vehicle on the bridge at the county line, ignoring oncoming traffic, the officer reported.

"The beige Cadillac continued to flee from us. We were able to get close enough to the vehicle to acquire a tag number," Gullett said.
Once across the county line, the Cadillac began to slow down as the officers continued to follow it. It came to a stop about a mile and a half inside DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's office was notified and Cannon Deputy Andrew Colwell was re-routed for transport.
Mayo was advised of his rights and a search was conducted. A small, clear baggie of marijuana and several packs of rolling papers were found in his wallet. A check with Dispatch revealed that Mayo's drivers license was revoked.

"I then asked Gregory Allen Mayo was his hurry was, which he stated that he had just changed the plugs and plug wires in the vehicle. I then advised him that doesn't mean he has to run from the police," Gullett reported.

Mayo later admitted he knew the car behind him was the police and that he didn't want to go to jail, officers said.
Inside the Cadillac, officers discovered some Xanax pills and some rolled marijuana cigarettes. A loaded 22-caliber rifle was found in the trunk behind a speaker box.

"Mr. Mayo stated he knew the rifle was inside the truck and that he was indeed a convicted felon and he knew he wasn't supposed to be around firearms much less have one in his vehicle," Gullett said.

"The last thing Mr. Mayo stated he wanted to know if the vehicle we were driving had a built motor cause there was no way we caught him in a stock truck. He was advised that the vehicle was stock and a 4x4, which he was surprised," the investigator said.

Mayo's Cadillac was seized by the Sheriff's Department.

He was charged with driving on a revoked license (fourth offense), evading arrest by motor vehicle, felony possession of a firearm, simple possession of marijuana and Xanax and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $13,500. A hearing is set for Nov. 3 in General Sessions Court.