JACKSON COUNTY — A 24-year-old Dowell man was arrested in Jackson County Sunday night after he stole a first responder’s vehicle and led police on a chase that ended when he crashed the vehicle head-on into a Carbondale Police car.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says this all started around 10:30 Sunday night at Vets Tavern in Dowell. Jackson County Dispatch received a call around that time regarding a man, Grant D. Choate, trying to fight patrons at the tavern.

Choate threw some chairs and bricks at patrons along with striking another person in the head with a shovel. Choate tried unsuccessfully to steal two motor vehicles.

When a first responder was flagged down to help the person struck by the shovel, Choate stole his vehicle and drove it to Casey’s in Elkville where he tried to buy some gas.

Two patrol cars spotted Choate, and Choate took off tearing the nozzle and hose out of the gas pump and hit a vehicle leaving Casey’s. Choate then traveled south on U.S. 51 to Carbondale where police there tried to stop him.

Choate lost control after going around a corner too fast striking the Carbondale police car head-on. Choate was taken into custody without incident. He is charged with aggravated battery, motor vehicle theft, speeding, eluding, criminal damage to property, theft and numerous other traffic infractions.

The incident is still under investigation. Officials say other charges are pending.