Deputies identify man wanted in police chase

Published 9:44 am Monday, December 1, 2014

Several police and Sheriff's Office vehicles chase a suspect's vehicle near the intersection of Alabama 119 and U.S. 31 in Alabaster on the night of Nov. 25. (Contributed/Jason Eddings)

Several police and Sheriff’s Office vehicles chase a suspect’s vehicle near the intersection of Alabama 119 and U.S. 31 in Alabaster on the night of Nov. 25. (Contributed/Jason Eddings)

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a 27-year-old suspect who allegedly fled his vehicle on foot following a multi-city police pursuit on the night of Nov. 25.

Oakes

Oakes

At about 5:45 p.m. on Nov. 25, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Alabaster police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop of vehicle in Alabaster when the suspect fled the scene in his Jeep.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as 27-year-old Matthew Oakes, who lists an address in the 500 block of Highway 5 in Wilsonville, and who has multiple previous felony convictions, according to court documents.

After the suspect fled the scene of the traffic stop, Alabaster, Pelham and Helena police officers joined the chase, which eventually led into the Dearing Downs neighborhood in Helena.

After the suspect abandoned his vehicle near the area of Secretariat Circle and Seattle Slew Drive in the Dearing Downs neighborhood, he fled the scene on foot, launching a search of the area.

At about 10 p.m. on Nov. 26, law enforcement called off the search, but were able to identify the suspect and issue a warrant for his arrest.

“Though the suspect driver was not apprehended, he has been identified and warrants have been obtained for his arrest,” read a Nov. 26 Facebook post by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

As of about 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 1, no arrests had been made in the case.