Wanted Rollin 60 Crip leads Chattanooga authorities on chase

Michael Ford
Michael Ford
photo Michael Ford.

A man wanted for child cruelty and aggravated battery in Catoosa County led Chattanooga authorities on a miles-long vehicle chase Tuesday.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service had Michael Ford, 29, under surveillance at a home in 1600 Arlington Avenue around 1 p.m. when they spotted Ford leaving the home, according to an affidavit.

When he sat down behind the wheel of a black Nissan Rogue and started to drive away, the marshals flipped on their lights and sirens and tried to pull him over.

Ford fled and was able to get away. The marshals lost sight of the Nissan near the intersection of Third Street and North Holtzclaw Avenue, according to the affidavit. Soon after, a Chattanooga police officer spotted the vehicle at Willow Street and McCallie Avenue, headed south on McCallie.

The officer pulled behind the Nissan and followed Ford, but did not turn on his lights or sirens. After "several miles" the chase reached Spruce Street and McCallie Avenue. Ford was driving toward McCallie when a marshal blocked the road ahead of him with lights and siren on.

Ford at first slowed down, then accelerated as though he were going to strike the marshal's vehicle. At the last moment, he stopped, threw the car in to reverse and escaped past the police officer's car, nearly striking it.

He drove to the intersection of Holtzclaw and Bailey avenues, where police had the intersection blocked. At that point, he stopped the car and surrendered to police.

Ford was charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault and reckless driving. He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail.

Ford also still faces criminal charges in Catoosa County. There, he is wanted for aggravated battery, battery, cruelty to children and criminal trespassing. Court records show Ford is suspected of attacking someone at a home in Rossville on Nov. 26

Records show the victim, whose name was redacted, was struck in the face and leg while in the presence of a child. Ford is also accused of breaking a mirror during the assault.

Ford is a validated member of the Rollin 60 Crips, police records show.

Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow @ShellyBradbury.

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