Tennessee man accused of stealing, crashing patrol vehicle arrested after manhunt

Lina Portman2 days ago

0 1 minute read

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – After days of searching, a man accused of stealing and crashing a Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicle has been arrested in Cookeville, according to THP.

On Sunday, Charles D. Lawson, 55, allegedly stole a THP vehicle and crashed it in Putnam County. Officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle in Smith County at the Buffalo Valley rest area on Interstate 40.

A police officer approached the vehicle and saw a man and a woman sleeping inside. The officer was able to determine that the vehicle had been stolen. Both suspects were arrested and handcuffed behind their backs.

The woman was identified as Karen Vallie, 42, of Montana. Lawson was eventually positively identified even though he gave the officer a false name and Social Security number.

While Lawson was being held in the officer's cruiser, the officers searched the stolen vehicle and questioned Vallie, allowing him to take control of the cruiser and flee the scene.

Previous story: Police search for man who stole and crashed patrol vehicle

The patrol vehicle was found crashed in Putnam County near Tucker Ridge Road. All of the officer's weapons were secured and recovered from the vehicle.

THP Cookeville announced that Lawson was taken into custody at 2:59 p.m. on social media.