A man who allegedly stole a Chattanooga Police Department cruiser Sunday morning was arrested in Catoosa County, Georgia, later that day.
Chattanooga police officers responded to a call about a disturbance at a Mapco gas station at 2727 Rossville Blvd. at 10:20 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release from the department.
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Upon arrival, officers were informed that a store clerk had been involved in a dispute with a shoplifting suspect, who reportedly threw a drink at the clerk before leaving the store, the release said.
The suspect, identified by Chattanooga police as Christopher Edward Parker, 42, was then seen walking east on the shoulder of Interstate 24, the release said, and became combative when officers tried to detain him.
An officer was reportedly knocked to the ground and Parker entered the vehicle and fled the scene in the cruiser as the officer fired his weapon.
Submitted Photo Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office / Christopher Edward ParkerAccording to the release, the officer involved in the case has been placed on administrative leave in “accordance with department policy.”
Parker was apprehended after he abandoned the cruiser on I-75 off exit 345 in Catoosa County and ran into a wooded area, the release said. He was eventually tracked down by K-9 officer Fraya and her handler, Deputy Tony Penson, according to a release from the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.
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“I commend K-9 Fraya, her handler Deputy Penson, and all of the responding officers who ended the pursuit and captured Mr. Parker without serious injury,” Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk said in a news release. “The successful outcome is the result of the excellent working relationships with our law enforcement partners, their training and dedication to serving our citizens.”
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office would not say when Parker would be extradited to Tennessee to face charges.
The Chattanooga Police Department is still investigating the case and has not yet provided a full list of charges that Parker will face, according to Jeremy Eames, the department’s public information officer.
– Compiled by La Shawn Pagán