Authorities in West Tennessee have arrested two individuals following a police pursuit that took an unexpected turn on Thursday. According to the Covington Police Department, the incident began around 11:40 a.m. when an officer noticed a vehicle traveling along Highway 51 with a faulty brake light.
When officers attempted a traffic stop near Church Street, a passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot along West Pleasant Street, reportedly carrying a firearm. Law enforcement quickly responded and secured the surrounding area as they searched for the suspect.
Police say the individual entered 1776 Barbershop Parlor, where he attempted to blend in by sitting in a barber chair as if waiting for service. Staff members alerted officers, who safely took the suspect into custody without further incident. He was later identified as 24-year-old Damian Lattimore.
During the search, officers recovered a loaded firearm believed to have been discarded along the suspect’s path. Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle fled but was later located with assistance from the Ripley Police Department and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office. The second suspect, 21-year-old Vertavious Barbee, was also taken into custody as investigations continue.
