Officers pursue driver across county lines, TCSO says | News

MUNFORD, Tenn. – Shots were fired at sheriff's deputies during a two-county chase with suspected car thieves, officials said.

Two Tipton County sheriff's deputies who saw an SUV driving on Tabb Drive without its headlights on around 1:30 a.m. Friday night, officials said, noticed two roofing trucks traveling in tandem with it at the intersection with Highway 51.

Officers suspected the trucks were stolen and attempted a traffic stop to investigate. But the SUV and one of the trucks sped off down Kimbrough Drive toward Nancy Lane Park; the second truck headed toward Maple Drive, officials said.

As officers pursued the Volvo and truck, shots were fired from one of the vehicles, officials said. No injuries were reported.

The chase continued into Shelby County from Rosemark Road and then into Memphis when the truck and Volvo diverged. Officers from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit.

The Volvo eventually stopped on Sam Cooper Boulevard, near Perkins Road, and the driver was arrested, officials said.

The truck's trailer separated during the chase near Jackson Road and Biggs Street in Memphis. The truck continued and was reportedly recovered in Southaven, officials said.

The remaining truck was found separately, abandoned behind a shopping center in Atoka.

Officers searched the SUV and found a .22 caliber magazine and 16 grams of methamphetamine, officials said.

Herbert McKnatt, 31, of Bartlett, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, reckless endangerment and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley said he issued a statement with a warning for criminals.

Beasley said, “Here we are again with people from outside of Tipton County coming here to commit these auto thefts and go back to Memphis. What we had here this morning were people who didn't know it, but quickly found out.

Beasley said the office's violent crimes unit is investigating the crime with the Atoka Police Department.