Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

CALERA – An 18-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 8:20 a.m. and charged on multiple counts after allegedly stealing a vehicle and fleeing from police. 

Tabarus Peake Jr. of Gilbertown was arrested after allegedly driving a stolen 2004 GMC Yukon. The car, valued at $7,500, belonged to Deanna Payne.

Around 7:40 a.m., Peake was reportedly seen driving the stolen vehicle down U.S. 31. Calera Police indicated for him to make a lawful traffic stop, and Peake purportedly responded by beginning to drive erratically in an attempt to evade arrest.

Speeding down U.S. 31 and County Road 25, police said Peake began to intentionally swerve into oncoming traffic, possibly in an attempt to discourage police pursuit.

This culminated in Peake slamming the car into another vehicle. Following the crash, the driver of the car was taken to the hospital for assessment after experiencing an ankle and shoulder injury. 

Peake was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment, attempting to elude police and first-degree assault. He was taken to Shelby County Jail, where he awaits trial.

The preliminary hearing for Peake will take place on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m. He is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $102,000.

The investigation of this case is still ongoing, and details will be released as they become available.