Chattanooga police SWAT team arrests one fugitive; another still at large

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

photo Police SWAT team members converse after taking a fugitive into custody Wednesday at the PineWood apartments in Brainerd. The SWAT team was called in after Rodney Bates climbed into the attic when officers arrived. He was apprehended on the roof of the building.

Chattanooga Police Department SWAT team members executed a warrant to arrest a fugitive who holed up in an attic inside an apartment in the 3300 block of Pinewood Avenue.

Police had received information that Rodney Bates, who was wanted for violating his probation, and Gary Brown Jr., who was wanted for domestic assault, were inside the residence.

The call out began just after 11 a.m. and lasted nearly five hours with officers closing off a section of the street.

"They do have Mr. Bates in custody. He fled into the attic," said Officer Timothy McFarland. "That's why the SWAT team was called out. Hamilton County K-9 assisted, too."

Bates was removed from the roof. Brown was not at the residence and is still at-large, McFarland said.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts can contact Chattanooga police at 423-698-2525.