On June 30 at approximately 6:15 a.m., Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers were patrolling the Buffalo Valley Rest Area on I-40 in Smith County. During this time, they investigated a suspicious vehicle parked at the rest area. Upon approaching the vehicle, a trooper found a male and female sleeping inside. A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check revealed that the vehicle was stolen.
The trooper instructed the occupants to exit the vehicle and detained them with handcuffs. The female occupant was identified as Karen Vallie, 42, from Montana. The male occupant initially provided a false name and social security number but was later identified as Charles D. Lawson, 55, from Tennessee.
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Lawson was secured in a THP patrol vehicle while the troopers inventoried the stolen vehicle and interviewed Vallie. Lawson managed to gain control of the patrol vehicle and fled the scene. He soon crashed the stolen THP patrol vehicle in Putnam County near Tucker Ridge Road. All of the trooper’s weapons were secured in the vehicle and accounted for; no weapons were taken.
The public is urged not to approach Mr. Lawson if spotted but to call 911 immediately. THP Aviation and numerous K-9 Units are actively searching the area. The incident remains under investigation.
Source: Read Original Release
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