Fleeing Shoplifter Leads Daphne Police on Wild Chase
By: Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
December 17, 2025
DAPHNE, Ala. A shoplifting quickly turned into a wild police pursuit from Daphne across the Bayway into Mobile County at speeds at times around 120 mph.
Police said that a Prichard woman is in custody on felony charges after stealing wine and lamb chops from a grocery store and then fleeing from police officers who attempted to arrest her.
Jalea Washington, 22, was arrested following the chase, after Daphne police say she stole items from a Publix store and then fled officers at dangerous speeds.
The chase began at the Publix in Daphne and ended near the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge after Washington hit another vehicle on Highway 98 and slammed into a retaining wall.
Police recovered 28 bottles of stolen wine and three packages of lamb chops from Washington’s vehicle after the crash. The stolen items have been returned to the store.
“At one time she was over 120 on the interstate,” said Captain Reginald Artis of the Daphne Police Department.
“It’s not uncommon for Mobile residents to come over and try to victimize our businesses and every chance we get we make them as unwelcome as we possibly can,” Artis said.
Washington is no stranger to the criminal justice system, having been arrested numerous times. In fact, in one of those arrests, Washington was accused of stealing alcohol.
She has also been indicted on organized retail theft charges after being arrested in February in Mobile for allegedly stealing 49 bottles of wine worth more than $3,000 over nine days from a Target store.
Washington also has outstanding felony theft warrants from Bay Minette, according to records.
Daphne police charged WashinGton with Fleeing or attempting to flee law enforcement and Theft 3rd degree.
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