VIDALIA — A Jonesville man is behind bars Friday after allegedly stealing a 32-inch television and leading Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on a high-speed chase through Monterey.

Jared J. Whittington, 29, allegedly shoplifted the Samsung flat screen worth $524 from Aaron’s in Vidalia at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday and told employees he had a gun when they attempted to stop him, Vidalia Police Chief Arthur Lewis said.

Vidalia officers arrived at Aaron’s to complete a report on the incident and sent an alert to all law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for Whittington’s blue Ford Explorer with Louisiana plates.

At approximately 7 p.m., Concordia deputies spotted Whittington’s vehicle on Ferguson Road in Monterey and began chasing him when he took off on Louisiana 129.

After chasing Whittington for 15 minutes, the deputies noticed his vehicle slowing to a stop and later found out he had run out of gas after turning onto Ellard Road.

Whittington repeatedly ignored commands to exit his vehicle, and when deputies approached the car to arrest him he advised the deputies he was, “talking to my mama.”

When deputies noticed Whittington reaching toward the center console, they deployed a Taser, which struck Whittington in his left arm and chest.

Whittington was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery by the Vidalia Police Department and aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation, battery on a police officer, three counts of resisting an officer, speeding and no driver’s license by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

No bond was set for Whittington as of Friday evening.