Over the past week, the Cottonwood Police Department has been investigating a crime involving a suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted a young family member over the course of four to five years.

Cottonwood Police have not released the suspect’s name.

On Friday, July 7, the suspect walked out of his home while detectives were completing an investigation, and police attempted to stop traffic.

The suspect could not be stopped and led the police in pursuit.

Based on the severity of the charges and other aggravating factors, officers determined that the suspects posed a danger to victims, witnesses, and the community and continued their pursuit.

According to at least one witness, the suspected vehicle, a white extended cab pickup truck, was seen driving northeast toward Sedona on State Route 89A in Cottonwood at 12:21 p.m. It says.

The truck then turned and headed southwest, turning left onto Cornville Road, as captured on video by the same witness at 12:33 pm.

The fleeing suspect eventually drove onto Interstate 17.

The truck was eventually disabled on Interstate 17 north of Cordes Junction by Arizona Department of Public Safety officers and Cottonwood Police Department officers using stop bars and vehicle-locking techniques.

After the chase ended, the suspect barricaded himself in the vehicle.

A Cottonwood Police Department negotiator contacted the suspect’s mobile phone. While SWAT agents used less lethal means to detain the suspect, they tried to force him to turn himself in.

The suspect attempted suicide by cutting himself while barricaded.

He was eventually taken into custody and taken to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center with serious self-inflicted injuries.

Once the suspect is released from the hospital, he will be held at the Yavapai County Detention Center at Camp Verde on a number of felony charges related to sexual misconduct and pursuit.