An Edmond man is facing a string of charges after allegedly leading officers from multiple agencies on a highspeed pursuit Sunday afternoon that began in Vian and ended along Interstate-40 near Sallisaw.
Griffen Hink, 28, was arrested on Feb. 22 and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on complaints of attempting to elude police officers, reckless driving, following too closely, operating a vehicle with flashing hazards, unsafe lane change, indecent exposure, driving under the influence of alcohol, improper backing, obstructing an officer, resisting arrest, transporting an open container of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance.
As of Monday afternoon, formal charges had not yet been filed in Sequoyah County District Court.
According to Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins, the incident began early Sunday afternoon when officers received a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert regarding a black pickup truck driven by a suspect reportedly involved in a hit-and-run in Muskogee County. The suspect was also reportedly unclothed.
Harkins said Officer Cassandra Perceful, who was already on another call, broke away after receiving both the BOLO and an eyewitness report. She located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver briefly stopped but then sped away, initiating a pursuit.
After stopping a second time, Perceful exited her patrol unit and began what Harkins described as a felony traffic stop.
The suspect again fled, prompting a multi-jurisdic- tion pursuit heading east on I-40.
Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane said he was eating lunch at a local restaurant at around 1 p.m. when a citizen informed him that a Vian police officer had a subject at gunpoint outside. Lane said he immediately responded and saw the suspect flee in a pickup truck.
“I entered my patrol unit and caught up to the Vian officer, who had again stopped the suspect on I-40 just east of the eastbound onramp,” Lane said. “As I exited my vehicle to assist, the suspect accelerated and fled once more, initiating a pursuit.”
The chase continued for several miles at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, according to Sheriff Lane. Additional deputies from the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office joined the pursuit, along with officers from the Sallisaw Police Department and troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).
Lane said one trooper deployed stop sticks, which were unsuccessful, but a second trooper executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), successfully spinning the pickup near mile marker 308 eastbound on I-40.
Lane said Deputies Craig Edgmon and Shane Petree then boxed the vehicle in and issued commands for the driver to exit.
Lane said the suspect briefly rolled down his window and waved at officers before rolling it back up and attempting to flee again in reverse.
A deputy fired one round, striking the front tire in an effort to disable the vehicle. A trooper then broke the driver’s side window, and officers extracted the driver, who was naked, and took him into custody.
The trooper reportedly sustained significant lacerations to his hand during the extraction and was treated for his injuries.
Lane said the suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical and mental health evaluation.
Authorities confirmed Hink had an outstanding felony warrant out of Muskogee County in connection with a hit-and-run case. Additional charges are expected in Sequoyah County related to Sunday’s pursuit.
Harkins said the Vian Police Department conducted a complete after-action review and debriefing, and determined that Officer Perceful’s actions were within department policies and procedures.
“Her actions were that of a seasoned officer who exemplifies the professional standards and expectations set for our department,” Harkins said, adding that the department extends its thanks to Sheriff Lane, Sequoyah County deputies, Sallisaw Police and OHP troopers for their coordinated efforts.
Lane emphasized how quickly routine moments can turn critical for law enforcement officers.
“One minute I was having lunch with my family, and the next I had someone at gunpoint and got into a lengthy, high-speed pursuit,” Lane said. “It underscores why training and readiness are so critical for all of us.”
