A police pursuit involving a robbery suspect concluded with a crash in Columbus, Mississippi. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department reported that the West Point Police Department initially responded to an armed robbery at Connie’s Chicken. Officers identified and pursued a vehicle matching the suspect’s description, terminating the chase at a construction zone on Highway 45A in Clay County.
Clay County Chief Deputy Steven Woodruff, who was nearby, resumed the pursuit as it moved into Lowndes County. He coordinated with Lowndes County deputies for additional support near Highway 82 as the suspect vehicle neared Columbus.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins of Lowndes County took over the chase, which ended when the suspect crashed at the Highway 45 exit of Highway 82. The suspect, Corey Thomas, 32, was apprehended by Sheriff Hawkins and Chief Deputy Woodruff without further incident. No injuries were reported.
Thomas, who faces armed robbery charges in Clay County, is currently under investigation by West Point Police detectives. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Highway Patrol, and Columbus Police Department all contributed to the apprehension.
Previously reported missing in Clay County in July 2024, Thomas was found by a family member in Starkville earlier this week. After returning to his family’s home in Clay County, he allegedly took his father’s vehicle before committing the robbery.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and Thomas is expected to face charges in both Clay and Lowndes Counties.
