Safford police officers on patrol last Friday ran a check of a vehicle that returned as stolen out of Apache Junction. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it made a U-turn and sped off at a high rate of speed, heading south on Highway 191.
Officers continued to pursue the vehicle south on Highway 191, and were joined by a DPS trooper. The chase continued through Stockton Pass to the Bonita/Klondyke area, when the fleeing vehicle suffered a flat tire and came to a stop. The suspect, identified as William Nicholson, tried to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by the pursuing officers. Nobody was injured during the pursuit and recovery of stolen property.
Nicholson was arrested and booked into the Graham County Jail and charged with Fleeing from Pursuit, Theft and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.