‘Bonnie and Clyde wannabes’: Couple leads deputies on chase with dog, cat, 4 chickens inside spray-painted car

GRAY COURT, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina said “Bonnie and Clyde wannabes” were arrested Monday after leading deputies on two pursuits.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies on a routine patrol at around 9 a.m. in the area of Gray Court noticed a person speeding in a black Honda sedan and having trouble maintaining lanes. The tag on the vehicle was expired, and deputies were able to identify the driver as Joshua Harvey.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Harvey allegedly refused. Once the pursuit crossed the Greenville County line, a decision was made to end the pursuit at that time.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. that same afternoon, deputies said they were near Harvey’s home following up on the pursuit from that morning. The same car, which was then spray painted white, was seen recklessly driving.

Another traffic stop was attempted again, but the car refused to stop.

Officials said the car was successfully disabled on Interstate 385. The driver in the second pursuit was identified as Harvey’s significant other, Rosie Smith.

Animal control officers arrived on scene to recover a dog, a cat, and four chickens that were inside the car during the pursuit.

Deputies said Harvey has only been formally charged with failure to stop. Other charges are still pending.

Smith was charged with failure to stop, DUI, two counts of ill treatment of animals, driving under suspension, unlawful operation of a vehicle, operating with expired registration, and a seatbelt violation.

“These Bonnie and Clyde wannabes have tried to make fleeing from law enforcement a habit, but eventually your luck runs out,” Sheriff Don Reynolds said in a social media post. “I want to thank the deputies involved for their work to put these two behind bars and I am thankful for a safe conclusion.”

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