A Cumberland County man wanted for failing to appear in court now faces three new charges after he allegedly led police on a brief pursuit inside the city limits Sunday afternoon.
Deputies were looking for Joseph David Sadula, 28, 1212 Hwy. 70 E, around 2:45 p.m. to place him in jail for failing to appear in General Sessions Court where he owed a fine, court costs and/or restitution in four theft of merchandise charges.
Sadula now faces new charges of reckless endangerment, evading arrest and driving on a suspended license, according to an arrest report filed by Deputy Chuck Hennessee.
Hennessee wrote that he and Deputy Allen Webb spotted Sadula driving a silver Ford Explorer on Wayne Ave. and turned around to stop the man. Instead of stopping, Sadula turned onto Cook Rd. "at a high rate of speed," turning onto Short Rd. and traveling through a lumber yard at Short St. and E. First St.
The deputy reported that Sadula then pulled into a driveway at 1666 E. First St, where he exited the vehicle and reportedly fled into a nearby wooded area, leaving a passenger identified as Paula Cornell in the vehicle.
Cornell told deputies that she was catching a ride to the store and had asked Sadula to stop and let her out of the vehicle when the chase started. Citizens began reporting seeing a man running on foot across Hwy. 70 E in the area of Plateau Lanes bowling alley and a Stone Way resident reported the same man ran behind that person's house.
Crossville Police K-9 Officer Camden Davis arrived with his dog and tracked the suspect running on the edge of the woods in that area and Sgt. James Scott chased the suspect, apprehending him and placing him into custody. Sadula was then transported to the Justice Center by Deputy Tom Howard where he was placed under the new charges.
Bond for the original charge was set at $500. Felony evading arrest, reckless endangerment and driving on a suspended license bonds totaled $10,500.
He was given a March 22 court date to answer all the charges.
No one was injured during the incident.