Hamilton County Sheriff's Office / Thomas ClaxtonA man led Hamilton County deputies on a chase early Monday morning before crashing into a garage and hiding inside before being arrested, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Thomas Claxton, 28, faces charges including evading arrest, aggravated kidnapping and burglary, driving under the influence and possessing drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with traffic violations including speeding and running stop signs.
According to a sworn law enforcement affidavit in support of his arrest, there were two people in the car with Claxton during the chase.
A deputy saw Claxton's car at a Mapco gas station near North Hickory Valley Road and Highway 58 around 3:30 a.m. Monday, according to a news release.
The deputy recognized his car as one seen several times outside a home known for criminal and narcotic-related activity, the Sheriff's Office said.
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The deputy tried to pull over Claxton for a broken tag light after he left the gas station, but Claxton did not stop, according to the release. He slowed down a couple of times, then sped up, according to the affidavit, inviting a high-speed pursuit with deputies.
Claxton reportedly drove 80 mph in a 45 mph zone and drove in the wrong lane on Highway 58 during the chase, the deputy said in his report. He reportedly drove over 50 mph in a residential zone and appeared to throw a bottle of alcohol out of his driver side window, the report said. There was little to no traffic on the roads at that time, the deputy wrote.
The pursuit ended when Claxton reportedly lost control and crashed his car into the garage of a home on Lockington Drive near Jersey Pike and Bonny Oaks Drive.
Deputies tried to order Claxton out of the garage and evacuated the homeowner, who told deputies she thought he was trying to enter her home through the garage. Claxton did not answer orders to come out, according to the release. Deputies found him in a storage closet inside the garage during their second search of the home, the Sheriff's Office said.
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Claxton refused medical help and was taken to the Hamilton County Jail, according to the release. He reportedly smelled of alcohol, had a burnt metal straw in his pocket and was slurring his speech, deputies said. After being taken to the jail, Claxton said he had neck pain and was taken to Erlanger hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit.
The two passengers told deputies they didn't know Claxton well and that he had offered them a ride because their car was overheating. They said they'd asked to get out of the car multiple times but Claxton reportedly did not let them leave. One passenger told deputies that Claxton said "I'm not going to jail" when a deputy tried to pull him over.
One passenger, an elderly woman, had scrapes on her body and the other had swelling in his left leg. Both were treated at the scene.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.