Shoplifting Suspect Captured after Chase, Tasering by Police

Sevierville police apprehended an alleged shoplifter on Saturday after he reportedly fled, crashed his vehicle and continued to run on foot, even after being Tasered by an officer.

Officers from the Sevierville Police Department responded to a reported shoplifting at the WalMart, 1414 Parkway, just after noon on Saturday, March 24, 2018.

The male suspect attempted to flee in his vehicle before officers arrived. However, a retired law enforcement officer that was at the WalMart told dispatchers he witnessed the suspect run from the store and get in a Chevrolet Malibu. The retired officer reportedly began following the suspect in his own vehicle.

SPD Officer Hannah Haggard arrived in time to see the suspect’s Malibu leave the WalMart parking lot, head south on Parkway and turn into Duncan’s Clothing at 1544 Parkway. She attempted to stop the suspect in the parking lot, but he fled and headed west onto New Era Road.

A short distance down New Era Road, Officer Haggard broke off her attempt to stop the suspect and was preparing to turn around when she saw the suspect’s car crash into a ditch. As she approached the crash site, the suspect drove out of the ditch, headed back east on New Era Road and then pulled behind a residence at 2148 New Era Road.

When Officer Haggard arrived at the residence, a Kia Optima was parked in the driveway and a man stood in the front yard holding a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He identified himself as the retired law enforcement officer who witnessed the suspect as he fled the WalMart and followed. Officer Haggard went around the rear of the residence, located the suspect and ordered him to stop. He instead drove back down the driveway and onto the front lawn toward the retired officer, who fired three shots towards the suspect’s vehicle.

The suspect turned east onto New Era Road, ran into a camper, drove over several sidewalks and grass areas and ultimately crashed the Malibu into a steel gate at NASCAR SpeedPark. The suspect jumped from the car and fled on foot towards the Parkway. Another officer deployed his Taser, and despite being struck by the Taser, the suspect regained his footing and continued to flee across the Parkway and into the Duncan’s Clothing parking lot, where officers apprehended him.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jeffrey A. Todd of Sevier County, has been charged with shoplifting, felony evading by motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and may have additional charges.

The retired officer who fired shots at the suspect later told detectives that he was in fear for his life as the suspect’s vehicle came toward him in the yard. The suspect was not shot and it has not been determined if any of the bullets hit the suspect vehicle.

The incident remains under investigation.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.