NEWPORT — A high-speed chase through Newport and Coventry on May 30 resulted in multiple felony charges against 37-year-old Shawn Turnbaugh of Orleans, according to police reports.
Newport City Police Sgt. Nicholas Rivers stated in an affidavit that he spotted Turnbaugh driving an SUV on Orchard Street around 12:25 p.m. Rivers, who knew Turnbaugh’s license was suspended, attempted a traffic stop, but Turnbaugh fled at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone.
Rivers discontinued the pursuit and alerted other officers.
Det. James LeClair and Patrolman Tanner Jacobs located the SUV on Hancock Hill in Coventry. A woman driving the SUV told officers that Turnbaugh had forced her to switch seats.
She and another passenger reported fearing for their safety, alleging Turnbaugh drove at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
Turnbaugh recently appeared in Orleans County Superior Court and pled not guilty to felony charges of negligent operation while eluding an officer and first-degree unlawful restraint with risk of injury, as well as driving with a suspended license and violating conditions of release.
His bail was set at $1,000.
