A Waynoka man is facing felony charges after he allegedly led officers on a high speed chase through city streets in a stolen vehicle.

According to court records, about 10:31 p.m. on Feb. 17, Woods County Sheriff’s Deputy David Cummings was watching for movement near a residence on 8th Street in Waynoka. The occupant of the residence, Donald Billings, had a felony Woods County arrest warrant for domestic violence. Sitting in his car, Cummings saw a vehicle drive up 8th Street past Billings’ residence to the end of the road, which is where he knew Billings’ mother, Diana Dannar, lives.

Believing Billings might walk back, Cummings exited his patrol car and walked over to the residence. At this point he realized his marked patrol car would have been visible to the vehicle he just watched drive up the street. While outside, he heard a voice yell from Billings’ mother’s house. Having had frequent dealing with him, Cumming recognized Billings’ voice. A short time later, Cummings saw a vehicle flee from the end of 8th Street toward State Highway 14 at a high rate of speed. The tan four-door Lincoln failed to stop at the stop sign at 8th and SH-14. Cummings contacted Waynoka Police Officer Adam Barlow, asking him to respond to the area and initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle which he believed was occupied by Billings.

Not finding Billings, the two officers split up to look for the vehicle. As Cummings neared Broadway Street, he observed a vehicle matching the description turning west from Lincoln Street onto Broadway Street and then turning onto Logan Street heading south. As he turned onto Logan Street and neared the vehicle, Cummings activated his emergency lights signaling the vehicle to pull over. The vehicle failed to stop, so Cummings activated his siren. The vehicle began to speed up and drive erratically on the residential streets.

Cummings updated Officer Barlow and requested Woods County dispatch notify his supervisors of the pursuit. Woods County Undersheriff Keith Dale later responded to the scene, and Cummings requested other officers from the Waynoka Police Department.

The vehicle continued on residential streets at speeds up to 70 to 75 mph in 25 mph zones. Cummings was able to check the license place and verify the vehicle was registered to Billings’ mother. At Broadway, the vehicle ran another stop sign turning west and crossed the railroad tracks. The vehicle then turned north onto Cedar Ave. which runs along a city park with walking trails. The vehicle lights were turned off. Cummings missed the turn to Cedar Avenue and went to SH-14 in an effort to prevent the vehicle from returning to the Billings’ residence.

Officer Barlow and Waynoka Police Chief Misty Smiley arrived and began searching the area around Cedar Avenue for the vehicle. About 11:02 p.m. Barlow advised he located the suspect vehicle unoccupied and with no keys in the ignition at Donal Wooley’s residence on Cedar Avenue. Smiley and Barlow began searching the area and outbuildings nearby.

At approximately 11:36 p.m. Chief Smiley advised the subject had been located in the garage at Wooley’s residence. Billings surrendered to officers, and he was placed under arrest based on the felony warrant. In the garage where Billings was found was the key to the vehicle involved in the pursuit. While being escorted to a patrol car, Billings said he was not driving and that he had picked up his girlfriend. No one else was located in the area.

Dale transported Billings to the Woods County Jail where he was booked and jailed. Cummings remained on scene and photographed the vehicle. He contacted the owner, Billings’ mother, and allowed her to take possession and drive it home. The vehicle suffered significant damage including damage to the driver’s side door, front end and hood in addition to a broken windshield, dents and scratches and unknown damage to the undercarriage.

Dannar explained that her son, Billings, and a male friend arrived at her residence. She said Billings asked to borrow her car but she told him no. She said he mumbled under his breath and became upset but left the room. Cummings asked if Billings’ girlfriend was with him, and Dannar said no. She later heard a car leave and found her car was missing. She said Billings did not have a key, and she has to hide her set of keys to keep him from taking the car. She said her grandson has a key and probably left it in the ashtray. Cummings asked Dannar if she wanted to file charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. After seeing the damage she said she wanted to file the charge.

After returning to the sheriff’s office, Cummings spoke with Billings in a post-Miranda interview. Billings said his girlfriend was driving the vehicle, not him. Asked where he found the key, Billings said he got it from his nephew after his mother told him no. Asked where he picked up his girlfriend, Billings said she was at his mother’s house with him. Billings said he did not know where the vehicle was but believed his girlfriend left the area. He said after she pulled into Wooley’s property, they hit something and he jumped out but she continued on. Asked about the key found near him, he said he grabbed the key because it was his mother’s car. He said he ran to Wooley’s residence yelling and made contact with Wooley and his girlfriend. Then he sat in the garage until he was apprehended. Cummings told Billings his story did not make sense and that he did not see anyone else in the vehicle or in the area. Billings said he’ll take the charges; he does not want to get his girlfriend in trouble.

Prior to speaking to Billings, Cummings spoke with Billings’ girlfriend who advised she was asleep at her boss’s resident and was never with Billings. She said Billings had been in a bad mood all day and sending threatening text messages to her.

According to Wooley, he heard his dogs barking but never went to look He said he never spoke to Billings and did not know he was on the property.

Donald James Billings, 37, of Waynoka, has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and endangering others while eluding a police officer, both felonies. Bond was set at $10,000 per count.