The Chattanooga Police Department said a multi-county police pursuit and arrest Thursday morning clears multiple cases of auto burglary, auto theft and fraud.
Chasity Gann and Robert Pace were arrested after fleeing law enforcement and crashing their stolen car in the 6000 block of Browntown Road, authorities said. CPD spokeswoman Elisa Myzal said a third suspect who ran from the crash scene has been identified and warrants are pending, she said.
The chase started after a Marion County officer on patrol spotted a car and a pair of faces identified by a Chattanooga burglary detective working on auto break-ins at the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center and on Stringer's Ridge.
Detective Brad Brown distributed the information to area law enforcement Wednesday and Marion Sgt. Jerry Van Allman spotted the suspect vehicle, a stolen 2013 Chrysler 200, early Thursday morning at an apartment complex on River Canyon Road.
These are some of the items taken from the burglary suspects' crashed car on Thursday, July 13. Investigators are trying to identify the owners. Anyone who recognizes any of these items is asked to contact investigator Brad Brown at 423-698-2525.The car sped away when he tried to stop it, and he followed it into Hamilton County. Chattanooga and Red Bank police along with Hamilton County deputies then got involved, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office spokesman Matt Lea said in a release.
The runaway car crashed in the 6000 block of Browntown Road and Gann and Pace were taken into custody.
Gann and Pace are also suspects in other auto burglaries and vandalism in public access park areas in Chattanooga, Marion, and Meigs counties, Myzal said.
"Partnerships with surrounding law enforcement agencies are a key element to effectively solving crime," said CPD Property Crimes Lieutenant Craig Joel. "This is another great example of how information sharing and communication between agencies can solve a string of crimes across multiple jurisdictions."
Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said he'll have some charges to add to the stack of theft, fraud and criminal impersonation charges the pair face in Hamilton County.
The multi-jurisdictional lawmen "did an outstanding job," Burnett said. "They may have solved a lot of break-ins over in that area, we hope."