After relieving himself outside a downtown business, a local man led officers with the Covington Police Department (CPD) on a chase throughout town before being taken to jail.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, CPD Lt. Mike Bruno reportedly witnesses a man urinating in front of Ramsey’s Furniture and called CPD Officer Rory Barber for back up. Barber arrived to see a white car speeding away with its headlights off.

“I then turned on my emergency lights and sirens and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle,” Barber reported. “The vehicle then accelerated rapidly in an attempt to escape.”

The vehicle continued its way around the downtown square and ran a total of two stop signs during the pursuit. Barber disengaged in the pursuit and a lookout was given to surrounding agencies for the vehicle.

The vehicle was spotted shortly after the pursuit and was cornered at the red light at Turner Lake Road and Highway 278.

The driver, identified as Justin Parker, and passenger, identified as William Smith, were removed from the vehicle and handcuffed.

Parker told the officer he had no idea why he was being stopped. Barber reported smelling a “strong odor of alcoholic beverages” coming from Parker as he spoke, according to the CPD incident report.

“I also observed that Mr. Parker was uneasy on his feed and had a hard time standing,” Barber reported. “Open beer bottles and beer cans were found in the vehicle and two bottles of Fireball whisky was located inside the vehicle.”

Both Parker and Smith were transported to the Newton County Jail. Smith was charged with indecent exposure and public drunk. Parker was charged with reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude, driving under the influence of alcohol, open container, stop sign violation and a head light violation.