Kidnap suspect nabbed in Chelsea

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 16, 2003

A kidnapping suspect led police on a five-mile chase Saturday after hitting a woman and a police car with his vehicle.

Officers arrested Kelvin Pruitt, 39, from Birmingham, at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Chelsea. Sheriff’s deputies charged Pruitt with two counts of attempted murder, first degree kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

He is being held in the Shelby County jail on a total bond of $91,500.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office identified the female victim as Brenda Williams, 36, from Midfield.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded at 4 p.m. Saturday to a report of a person with a gun who had kidnapped a female.

The report came from the Meadowbrook Road and Heathrow Drive area of North Shelby County.

Sheriff’s deputies pursued the fleeing vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the area of U.S. Highway 280 and County Road 39 in Chelsea.

During the stop, the female managed to escape from the suspect’s car.

According to sheriff’s reports, the suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle, attempting to run over the female.

The suspect struck the female as well as a patrol car which attempted to block his car.

Deputies pursued the suspect for another five miles before he crashed and fled on foot.

The Harpersville Police Department, Vincent Police Department and Alabama State Troopers assisted with the search for the suspect.

Officers notified local businesses, and a citizen reported seeing the suspect, sheriff’s officials said.

Officers arrested Pruitt at Kentucky Fried Chicken on U.S. Highway 280 in Chelsea at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

&uot;This was an extremely dangerous situation for the public and officers,&uot; said Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry.

&uot;I would like to thank the alert citizen for notifying our office of the suspect’s location.&uot;

Capt. Chris Corbell of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said Pruitt and Williams appeared to know each other.

He said Pruitt had a gun, and it appears that he kidnapped Williams