OLIVE BRANCH, Miss — A man is facing attempted murder charges and a $1 million bond after authorities said he shot at officers while they were conducting a traffic stop in Olive Branch earlier in March.
Colby Alan Towles, 34, of Olive Branch was has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of police officer and conspiracy to commit murder. His bond was increased to $1 million.
Towles' girlfriend, 33-year-old Sarah Skriver, was also arrested and booked for accessory after the fact at the DeSoto County Jail on March 11.
Investigators said Olive Branch officers were conducting the traffic stop on Highway 302 westbound near Craft-Goodman Road about 1:45 a.m. on March 11, 2024, when a motorcyclist, later identified as Towles, approached officers at one point and began yelling at them.
They said Towles left, making a U-turn onto the eastbound lane side of Highway 302. Once across from police, they said Towles fired shots at the officers. One officer returned gunfire, and they said Towles drove away from the scene.
Parts of Highway 302 near Craft-Goodman Road were closed due to the shooting, but MDOT traffic cameras show the roads are back open. Olive Branch Police said no officers were injured.
Police later released a photo of the suspect in a Facebook post, saying he is wanted for questioning. They also posted a photo of the motorcycle, described as a dark gray Harley Davidson Road Glide.
In a later release, they identified the suspect as Towles, and also identified a 202 silver Ford F250 with MS license plate 1AP2424 connected to Towles.
Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Olive Branch police confirmed Towles was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Missouri. On Thursday, March 14, the DeSoto County District Attorney's Office confirmed Towles is officially extradited from Missouri and is now being held at the DeSoto County Jail.