Jeremy Shane Howard
The police chase that passed through Anderson County on Thursday night started at a Weigel’s store in Knoxville and ended with an arrest in Union County.
The Knoxville Police Department said officers observed a suspicious man at Weigel’s on Callahan and Central Avenue Pike on Thursday night. The man was observed by officers on special assignment for recent robberies in north Knoxville.
The suspect, who was wearing surgical gloves, had been in the store for an extended period of time acting suspiciously before leaving without purchasing any items, the KPD said.
Officers said the suspect then went to the Delta Express convenience store near Merchants Drive. Employees reported that this suspect was possibly the same suspect that had robbed the store earlier in the week (January 19).
“The suspect became aware of the officers’ presence and fled in a Ford Mustang,” the KPD said in a Facebook post. “Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the suspect failed to stop. After an extended pursuit that went from Knox County, through Anderson County, and into Union County, the suspect, along with a female passenger, were apprehended by Union County officers.”
The suspect’s vehicle was towed to the impound lot and will be inspected today (Friday).
Both suspects were transported to the Safety Building to be interviewed by investigators. The female was released overnight without charges.
The male has been identified as Jeremy Shane Howard, 32, of Knoxville. He was charged with driving on a revoked license, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.
Howard was also served with an outstanding child support warrant, the KPD said.
His bond on the charges from Thursday night has been set at $8,500.
The KPD said Howard has an extensive criminal history that includes multiple charges of driving on a revoked license, multiple theft charges, multiple domestic assault charges, multiple failure to appear charges, criminal impersonation, violation of probation, DUI, and simple possession charges.
The robbery investigation is continuing, the KPD said.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department helped the KPD and Knox County Sheriff’s Office with the pursuit starting at about 10:22 p.m. Thursday. Deputy Shawn Bannach reported that the chase entered Anderson County on Interstate 75. The suspect exited the interstate at Exit 122 in Clinton, turning onto State Route 61. Part of the high-speed chase was also reported to have traveled down State Route 170, or Hickory Valley Road.
“Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office assisted pursuing agencies into Union County, where the suspect was finally apprehended on Overlook Trail,” Bannach said.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said the suspect’s green 2001 Ford Mustang convertible ran into a ditch near Hickory Star Boat Dock, which is on Norris Lake in Maynardville.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded to the chase.
There were reports of spike strips being deployed during the pursuit and a brief foot chase before the arrest around 10:42 p.m.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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