TEXARKANA, Ark. -Miller County prosecutors have formally charged a man accused of fleeing from sheriff's deputies in a stolen Jeep in December.
Michael Jacob Morgan, 25, was allegedly asleep behind the wheel of a running black Jeep in a driveway on Miller County 15 when Miller County sheriff's deputies approached him shortly after 1 a.m. Dec. 5. Deputies were responding to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle.
Deputies woke the driver, later identified allegedly as Morgan, and asked him what he was doing. Morgan allegedly gave the officers a fake name and said he was "just chilling."
After being asked to step out of the Jeep, Morgan allegedly reached for the door, grabbed the gear shift and sped away, nearly striking a deputy's patrol car. The deputies gave chase, following the Jeep a short distance on Miller County 15 before the Jeep turned onto a private road.
The deputies found the Jeep parked but were unable to find Morgan after searching the surrounding area in the dark. The plates on the Jeep returned to a green Ford F-150, indicating the plates were stolen. After attempting to determine to whom the Jeep belonged, investigators learned that it was being shown as "in transit" to Classic Dodge dealership.
Deputies allegedly found mail in the Jeep addressed to Morgan. After pulling up his mugshot, they identified him as the man who fled from them in the jeep.
Court records show Morgan was taken into custody Feb. 20 on a charge of theft by receiving, over $25,000. Bail in the theft case is set at $50,000 but Morgan is being held without bond on a motion to revoke probation he is serving in Miller County for an offense similar to the one he is accused of committing in December.
If convicted of theft by receiving over $25,000, Morgan faces five to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.