A Mississippi man was arrested last week after he led deputies on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. During the chase, the suspect abandoned the vehicle while still running, leaving the car to crash into a nearby church.

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Nicholas Larmon Steele of Gautier was arrested by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office on three felony charges: possession of stolen property (vehicle), felony fleeing, and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).

The incident began on June 24, 2024, around 4:15 pm, when county deputies located a stolen Mercedes at a hotel on Canal Road in West Harrison County, Mississippi. As officers approached the vehicle, Steele, the driver, fled, initiating a high-speed chase.

The pursuit concluded in the parking lot of Faith Baptist Church, where Steele abandoned the still-running vehicle, which subsequently crashed into the church and the building’s air conditioning units, causing significant damage. Deputies then launched an extensive search in the surrounding wooded area.

After several hours, Steele was spotted walking nearby. Upon being approached, he again attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by deputies. During the arrest, Steele was found in possession of cocaine.

Steele was transported to the Harrison County Jail and is being held on a $60,000 surety bond set by Harrison County Justice Court Judge Albert J. Fountain.