Deputy tackles fleeing robbery suspect on The Murfreesboro Post

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Deputy tackles fleeing robbery suspect

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La Vergne makes aggravated robbery arrest

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By: TMP Reports

Posted: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 3:05 pm

A sheriff’s deputy tackled a suspect accused of robbing a stranded motorist Saturday on Interstate 24.

Suspect Charles T. Lawrence Jr., 31, who is homeless, fled from deputies pursuing him on I-24 and traveled off the interstate to Chaffin Lane where Deputy Daniel Thomas tackled him and took him into custody.

Deputies charged Lawrence with robbery, theft of property, theft of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment and evading arrest.

Victim Kristen M. Blake of Antioch told deputies she was driving on I-24 near La Vergne when a piece of a truck tire struck her car. She pulled to the shoulder.

Lawrence stopped in what Blake believed was an effort to help her but he allegedly reached into her car and took her purse, deputies reported. As she reached in the car to retrieve her purse, he accelerated.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Scott Miller stopped to help her afterwards.

Cpl. Nathan Pagel reported he was driving on I-24 at the same time when he spotted the suspect and got into pursuit. As Lawrence approached the Medical Center Parkway exit, he swerved to exit but came back on the interstate, “almost striking several vehicles,” Pagel reported.

Lawrence exited on the Old Fort Parkway exit and almost struck other vehicles, the corporal reported. Lawrence drove onto Chaffin Lane where he bailed out of the Trans Am and fled on foot.

Deputies Thomas, Jeffrey Verbruggen, Gene Thorpe and Stephen Lewis chased Lawrence until Thomas tackled him. Verbruggen and Deputy Mike Hoekstra recovered Blake’s purse.

They learned the car Lawrence drove was stolen from Thomas M. Cantrell of McMinnville.

Lawrence was booked into Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where a hearing is set Sept. 24.

Tagged under Charles T. Lawrence Jr., Deputy Daniel Thomas, Robbery

Member Opinions:

By: kennethlorin on 8/4/09
Maybe the homeless fellow can get a bite to eat and a place to stay as well as a suit of clothes while he is in custody... Isn't there a better way?

By: Tnnate on 8/5/09
A better way for what? Maybe he'll get a slap in the head while in custody- scaring the poor girl, stealing a car, and running from the police-he needs adjustment. Sounds like Deputy Thomas helped him have a bite of Chaffin.

By: Ponycar on 8/5/09
Good work RCSD deputies !!!