Authorities in Polk County, Tennessee, and neighboring communities are continuing a manhunt for the suspect in a Jan. 21 stabbing in Athens, Tennessee, who allegedly assaulted an officer after leading Bradley County authorities on a chase into Polk County, where he fled on foot and remains at-large.
Polk County authorities got a call Wednesday from Bradley County, relaying information on a pursuit on U.S. Highway 64 headed east, according to an updated statement from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle being chased continued onto U.S. Highway 411 until reaching the intersection with Highway 314 in Benton, Tennessee, where the chase ended at an abandoned vehicle.
David Rodriguez Cruz, 32, is identified as the person officers are seeking and is considered armed and dangerous, Polk County authorities said. Initial reports said Cruz was being sought on a murder charge, but police in Athens have since clarified the charge there was for attempted murder.
Polk County deputies made contact with authorities from Bradley County, Cleveland, the Tennessee Dangerous Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Highway Patrol at the site where the car Cruz was allegedly driving was found in a new subdivision development near U.S. Highway 411 in Benton.
(READ MORE: Polk County man facing attempted murder, weapons charges)
A witness gave police the fleeing man’s direction of travel, and police set up a perimeter, deployed drones and police K-9s, but didn’t find Cruz, according to authorities in Polk County. Officers have also responded to possible sightings, searched nearby properties at the owners’ request, and followed up on tips about Cruz’s whereabouts.
The U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Task Force have joined the search for Cruz, according to a statement issued by the Athens Police Department.
(SIGN UP: Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens by going to timesfreepress.com/breaking)
Cruz is no longer believed to be in the Benton area, the statement said, but the Polk County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to remain on alert.
Residents in the search area should secure their property, authorities said. Anyone with information on Cruz’s whereabouts is urged to call 911.
Contact Southeast Tennessee reporter Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.