Handcuffed suspect steals THP vehicle; man jailed

By Eddie West Staff Writer

A handcuffed suspect who made an improbable escape in a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) vehicle in Smith County is behind bars.

Charles D. Lawson, a Tennessee resident, is being held in neighboring Putnam County, facing numerous theft-related and kidnapping charges which occurred during his temporary flee from law enforcement officers. 

State troopers were investigating Lawson and a female after they were discovered sleeping in a stolen vehicle at the rest stop around 6 a.m. on Sunday (June 30).

After being handcuffed, with hands behind his back, and placed in the backseat of a THP patrol vehicle, Lawson managed to maneuver into the front seat of the (THP) vehicle, get behind the steering wheel, flee the scene while still handcuffed.

Lawson took off in the highway patrol vehicle, as troopers were inventorying the stolen vehicle and questioning its female occupant.

Lawson fled into Putnam County in the THP vehicle where he wrecked in the area of Tucker Ridge Road which is in the Silver Point area, located just east of the Smith County line.

Once crashing the THP vehicle, Lawson fled the scene on foot.

THP determined all weapons were still in the stolen patrol vehicle.

A THP helicopter and multiple K-9 units were involved in the search for Lawson. On Tuesday, Lawson was located by law enforcement authorities in Putnam County in the Buffalo Valley area, not far from the Smith County line.

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