The Bradley County sheriff and some of his deputies were led on a chase both on foot and by car by a Cleveland man Monday.
Sheriff Eric Watson and members of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office's Patrol Division received a call about a reckless driver in the area of U.S. 64 and Durkee Rd. Watson spotted the vehicle, a 2005 Ford Escape, when it failed to stop at a stop sign. Watson attempted a traffic stop when the driver, 35 year-old David Earl Perian, fled from his vehicle on foot.
Perian jumped a barbed-wire fence on the property of Simpson Construction Company and stole a pick-up truck. Perian then crashed the truck into a gate and fled the wreck on foot. Watson and Bradley County Patrol officers took Perian into custody in a nearby field.
Perian was charged with evading arrest, resisting arrest, theft of a motor vehicle over $1,000, possession of drug paraphernalia (a glass methamphetamine pipe), criminal trespass, failure to stop at a stop sign and driving while suspended.
Damage to the gate was estimated at $800 and the stolen truck was valued at $2500. A Bradley County officer was injured during the chase, sustaining a hand injury on the barbed wire fence. He was treated at the scene by Bradley County EMS.
The case is under investigation by the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions.