lcherald.com

Two people were arrested and face multiple charges following a high-speed chase through Lyman County last Tuesday, January 20.

Gilbert Ecoffey age 26 and Taylor McGhee age, 19 both of Wounded Knee, were arrested Tuesday after the pursuit, which began when a Lower Brule Bureau of Indian Affairs officer attempted to stop a vehicle, allegedly driven by Ecoffey, and the vehicle fled.

The Lyman County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the situation about 4:43 pm and joined the pursuit north of Kennebec on Highway 273. The vehicle, a white Ford F350 with dual wheels, reached speeds ranging from 70 to 100 mph, and nearly struck several other vehicles being driven by pursuing officers as it progressed south and west through Lyman County, according to court documents. The suspects’ vehicle was forced to stop shortly after hitting a spike strip on Hwy 183 south of the White River in Tripp County.

Lyman County officers attempted to spike the vehicle but it changed course several times during the pursuit over county gravel and dirt roads south of I-90.

 Officers allegedly found several items of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and were told by a third person in the suspects’ vehicle that a large bag of drugs was tossed from the car by Ecoffey during the pursuit, court documents say. The bag was later recovered by law enforcement and allegedly contained 81 small bags and two large bags of synthetic marijuana. McGhee allegedly left a hypodermic needle, which tested positive for methamphetamine, in the backseat of one of the patrol vehicles after she was arrested.

Ecoffey is charged with possession of a controlled substance and aggravated eluding, both felonies, as well as reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and a stop sign violation, all misdemeanors. McGhee is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

Ecoffey and McGhee bonded out of jail Friday, Jan. 23. The pair are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Lyman County court Monday, Feb. 2.

The name of the third passenger in the vehicle has not been releaseed nor have they been charged as of this date.

Agencies involved in the chase were Lyman County Sheriff’s Office, BIA Law Enforcement, SD Game Fish and Parks, SD Highway Patrol and the Tripp County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the Reliance Area Community Development group announce ticket sales for their annual dinner theater will take place Wednesday, January 28 at four different locations.

In Presho, tickets will be sold at Jet Lanes Bowling Alley, in Kennebec at the Fire Hall, in Reliance at the Legion Hall and in Chamberlain at the Ag Services Building. All tickets go on sale at 5:00 pm on a first come, first serve basis.

The RACD cast of actors will present,"Ten Little Chipmunks" a murder/mystery by Craig Sadoro, Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Legion Hall in Reliance.