HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A Martinsville man was taken into custody after a Sunday night pursuit ended in a rollover crash.

The incident began around 9:30 p.m. October 12, when deputies conducted a traffic stop on a white Nissan Sentra in the parking lot of Eden Jewelry, located on Memorial Boulevard in Martinsville.

The vehicle matched the description of one involved in a larceny earlier that evening at the Dollar General on Jack Dalton Road, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they identified the driver as 37-year-old Darris Simmons, who matched both the suspect’s description and clothing seen in store surveillance footage.

When deputies ordered Simmons to exit the vehicle, he refused.

“He had stolen an amount of merchandise from the Dollar General and fled in his vehicle,” Sheriff Wayne Davis told rbs news now. “When our deputies saw it, they initiated the traffic stop, and he refused to exit. At one point, he grabbed an officer’s arm before speeding away, which led to the pursuit.”

Deputies chased Simmons down Memorial Boulevard, through Fayette Street, and into the Fieldale community.

The pursuit ended on Carver Road near Farmview Drive, where deputies performed a PIT maneuver.

The vehicle struck a small embankment and rolled onto its side.

Simmons was taken into custody without further incident.

Henry County Public Safety responded to the scene, but Simmons declined medical treatment.

Sheriff Davis said the PIT maneuver was used to protect the public and deputies.

“High-speed pursuits are inherently dangerous to everyone involved — our community, our deputies, and even the suspect driving the vehicle,” he said. “We utilize the PIT maneuver to keep our community safe. When we look at the priority of life, the safety of our civilians comes first and foremost, followed by our deputies. Of least concern to us is the violator driving the vehicle because they made a conscious choice to flee from law enforcement.”

Simmons was taken to the Henry County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

He was charged with the following offenses: assault on law enforcement, obstruction of justice, felony eluding police, reckless driving by speed, operating a vehicle without headlights, passing on a double yellow line, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway, failure to wear a seatbelt, failure to stop at a stop sign, and shoplifting.

Davis said his office will continue to take a firm stance on crime and public safety.

“When I was sworn in as sheriff in July of 2023, I promised this community that my team and I would make it uncomfortable for the criminal element to flourish here,” he said. “It’s not okay to flee from the police, and if you choose to do so, you have to understand there will be repercussions.”

The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ORIGINAL STORY — October 12

HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A larceny suspect was taken into custody Sunday after a chase and rollover crash, according to Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.

Sheriff Davis told rbs news now the suspect fled a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued.

A PIT was used to end the chase on Carver Road near Farmview Drive causing the suspect’s vehicle to roll over.

The suspect was taken into custody at the scene.

Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department, Henry County Public Safety, and Virginia State Police also responded to the scene.

This story will be updated as more details become available.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.