Authorities in DeKalb County, Alabama, are looking for a motorcyclist who crashed and fled after a chase Thursday led by National Park Service rangers.
Park rangers began pursuing the motorcycle on Alabama Highway 35 near the Little River Canyon National Preserve near Mentone, according to a statement from DeKalb County Sheriff's Office spokesman Tyler Pruett.
State troopers, Fort Payne police and deputies joined the pursuit as the motorcyclist fled on Highway 35 to Scenic Parkway then turned onto Fischer Road in Fort Payne, Pruett said.
"The chase continued on County Road 153 until the suspect wrecked near the intersection with County Road 295," Pruett said. "The suspect fled on foot, and units on scene were unable to locate him after searching for several hours."
The rider was spotted by several area residents before he vanished. Rangers from DeSoto State Park also assisted in the search.
Authorities describe the suspect as a white male wearing a white T-shirt, olive green short pants and a black hat, according to the statement. He has tattoos on the neck and arms and was carrying a black backpack.
Staff photo by Ben Benton / The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office in Fort Payne, Alabama, is shown.Pruett said the suspect reportedly sustained injuries from the wreck, and police believe he could still be in the local area. Pruett said Friday it's also possible that someone picked him up in the area where he crashed, according to a tip.
The Suzuki sport motorcycle the suspect was riding, which was recovered at the crash scene, hasn't been registered since 2011, and the old registration is linked to Chickamauga, Georgia, Pruett said.
"If you have seen this individual in the area today, please contact our office. Your identity will remain anonymous. We would really like to get him into custody," Sheriff Nick Welden said in the statement.
"The pursuit could have gotten someone hurt or worse. Not to mention that when someone leads law enforcement on a pursuit like this, we don't know what kind of criminal activity he may be engaged in," Welden said. "He may be a danger to our communities."
Anyone with any information should call the sheriff's office at 256-845-3801.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.