Quentin Leonard Blige

Twenty-five-year-old Quentin Leonard Blige was arrested last night after leading deputies and officers from several different agencies on a chase that wound through Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

At approximately 7:00 pm last night, officers from the Beaufort Police Department, along with a deputy from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, attempted to affect an arrest upon Blige at the Hess Mart located at 2260 Boundary Street in Beaufort. Blige was wanted on two counts of Financial Identity Fraud by investigators with the Sheriff's Office.

When deputies attempted to extract Blige from the white Toyota van in which he was passenger, Blige locked the van doors, switched seats with the driver and assumed control of the vehicle. At that time, Blige accelerated, striking 25-year-old LCpl. Timothy Clarkson of the Sheriff's Office with the vehicle. LCpl. Clarkson then discharged his duty weapon into the vehicle in self-defense, firing three shots at Blige.

Rather than stopping, Blige fled, leading pursuing deputies and officers down Hwy. 21 to Hwy. 462 into Jasper County and back to Hwy. 170 into Beaufort County. Blige then turned off of Hwy 170 at Argent Blvd., continuing back into Jasper County to US 278. The pursuit continued into Hardeeville, where Blige exited US 278 onto I-95 South.

Upon reaching mile marker 6 on I-95 in Hardeeville, Blige pulled off the interstate and fled on foot. A brief foot chase ensued, ending with Blige's capture. Blige was arrested and was escorted by deputies to Savannah Memorial Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.

Blige's passenger during the pursuit, 31-year-old Latoya Allen of Beaufort, was immediately detained at the van when Blige fled on foot. Allen was later released.

Upon being treated for his injuries, Blige was transported back to the Beaufort County Detention Center where he was charged with:

• Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill
• Failure to Stop for Blue Lights
• Driving without a License

In addition Blige was served with the two outstanding warrants for Financial Identity Fraud for which officers had originally sought to arrest him.

LCpl. Clarkson was transported to Coastal Carolina Medical Center, where he was treated and released for injuries sustained when he was struck by Blige's vehicle. LCpl. Clarkson has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and an internal review by the BCSO Office of Professional Responsibility.

In addition to being wanted by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, Blige was also found to be a wanted person out of the State of Georgia in reference to probation violations. Blige is currently under a 10-year probation sentence following numerous convictions in Georgia:

• Driving Under Suspension
• Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers
• Giving False Information to Law Enforcement
• Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
• Theft by Taking
• Theft by Shoplifting

Blige is currently being held on a $225,232 bond at the Beaufort County Detention Center.

The investigation remains active at this time. Further information may be made available upon the conclusion of the investigation.

*Agencies involved: