Summerdale Police seek suspect who eluded capture

SUMMERDALE, Ala. (WALA) - A man who fled from a safety checkpoint hit a police officer before escaping following a chase, authorities say.

Summerdale Police are still looking for Victor Stanton, a man who has already been arrested more than 50 times since 1995, after his run most recent run-in with the law on Saturday, December 1.

A dangerous stop

A safety checkpoint Saturday night on County road 55 in Baldwin County became the scene of a dangerously close call. Police said when Stanton’s car pulled up it smelled of marijuana.

Major Trent Dennis started to question Stanton and said he saw his hands go for the steering wheel.

“When he did that I moved into position,” Major Dennis said. “When I reached down for my gun, he turned the vehicle hard right striking me like this and when I came back here I was out of the holster and shot the first shot into the tire.”

Another officer was standing just feet in front of the truck. He shot five rounds before he dove out of the way; neither officer was seriously hurt.

Neighbors heard shots

Nearby, Cindy Blackwell was resting in her home with her family when the shots rang out.

Blackwell told us, “I actually jumped out of bed and told my daughter to get down on the floor because we thought it was in the back yard.”

Riding on a flat tire, Stanton eventually wrecked his car.

Two passengers, Megan Brumit and Desirae Northcutt, were arrested at the scene, but Stanton got away. Police said he likely got help from someone who picked him up.

Summerdale police said they're working with Stanton’s family to track him down.

50+ arrests

Stanton is well-known to local law enforcement. His rap sheet includes things crimes like robbery, thefts and DUIs.

“Victor Stanton is a very dangerous man,” Dennis told us. “He was just released out of Kilby Prison. He’s always running from the police. He’s always fought the police and he’s always been armed.”

After this latest episode, they’ll add two counts of vehicular assault on a law enforcement officer.