A Columbus couple is behind bars after leading Columbus Police Department officers on a wild goose chase, starting on Southside and ending in the old Tombigbee River Wednesday.
William Craddock Boyd, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on an officer and possession of cocaine. His wife, Meredith Ashley Boyd, was also arrested and charged with simple assault on an officer.
Officers were dispatched Tuesday to 620 3rd St. S in regards to an argument between a couple. Although the officers could not find a couple causing a disturbance, Officer Stephen Kemp stayed in the area. He found a couple in a black Honda Accord with the doors open at 210 6th Ave. S. Kemp approached the couple and stated William Boyd, the car’s driver, was “sweating and acting nervous.” William Boyd allegedly attacked Kemp and Merideth Boyd jumped on his back. After shaking off Merideth Boyd, William Boyd escaped from Kemp and began running on foot and allegedly tossed an undetermined amount of cocaine. Kemp tazed William Boyd in the back but the suspect kept running.
At around 4:50 p.m., multiple police vehicles were dispatched to the Riverwalk area after Boyd jumped into the river, still running from Officer Kemp. Officers Lance Lucky and William Thrasher used a boat provided by a civilian to pull Boyd from the river. Police reports said Boyd “almost drowned” and he had to be transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. He was later released and remanded into custody.
The couple remains in custody at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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