By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A police chase that began in Cullman County early Tuesday morning ended in Gardendale with the apprehension of a man and woman.

Reports indicate Chad Scott Mercer, 31, and his wife Misty Mercer, 28, of Pavio, Ga., were arrested and both charged with three counts of attempted murder, robbery in the first degree, one charge of assault in the second degree and one count of possessing a short-barrelled shotgun.

The pair, are suspected of robbing a convenience store on Alabama Highway 157 before traveling south on Interstate 65 at a high rate of speed. The robbery of the BP station happened at 2:50 a.m.

The suspects, traveling in a while Dodge pickup truck, allegedly shot a Cullman Police officer near exit 291 shortly after the pursuit came to an unexpected stop.

“The officers stopped, and the suspect hit reverse and fired at the officers,” said Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said.

Officer Roy Bates, who was the passenger in the police car being driven by officer Jeremy Hudson, opened his car door, stepped outside and drew his weapon, the police chief said.

That’s when Bates was shot.

“He was struck in the face with some buck shot,” Culpepper said.

Bates was driven to the hospital by a Cullman Sheriff’s Office vehicle, where he was treated and released.

In the course of the shootout, three rounds struck the suspects’ truck when Cullman officers returned fire, but no one in the truck was hit, Culpepper said.

Police officers from about 30 different law enforcement agencies were part of the pursuit, which entered the Gardendale city limits at about 3:15 a.m.

“One of our units went to assist the state troopers, but they didn’t have spike strips and we did, “Walker said. “The lead officer on duty actually blocked the exit ramp at Mt. Olive to keep them from getting onto surface streets and into Gardendale, which kept everyone safe.”

Gardendale officers were able to lay down spike strips after the suspect’s vehicle slowed from 120 miles per hour to about 80 miles per hour about a mile past the Fieldstown Road exit.

Cullman Police officers arrested the suspects after all four tires were flattened. “Fortunately nobody got injured and I’m proud of the way it was handled,” Walker said.

Bates’ wound was not life threatening, Culpepper said, although the officer does still have the buck shot inside his cheek. Surgery may be necessary to remove it.

Culpepper also reportedly thanked the police agencies which assisted in the pursuit and apprehension of the suspects.

Cullman Times Editor Derek Price and reporter Patrick McCreless contributed to this story. For more information, visit www.cullmantimes.com.