Deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office made one arrest on Tuesday after a chase ended in the suspect crashing a stolen vehicle into a local church.
Nicholas Larmon Steele, of Gautier, was arrested on three felony charges of possession of stolen property, felony fleeing, and possession of cocaine.
Around 4:15 p.m., deputies located a stolen Mercedes at a hotel on Canal Road in Gulfport. The officers attempted to make contact with the driver who subsequently fled and led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit. The pursuit ended at First Baptist Church when Steele hopped out of the car, leaving it in drive, before it crashed into the air conditioner units of the church.
After hours of searching, Steele was captured in the wooded area surrounding the church. He was transported to the Harrison County Jail and is being held in lieu of a $60,000 surety bond.
First Baptist Church has since reported heavy damage due to the incident.
