Sequatchie County Sheriff Names Man Wanted In Manhunt

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Sequatchie County Sheriff is not releasing the name of the man who is at the hospital, suffering from what some are calling a broken arm; it’s the result of a high speed chase.

They are, however, releasing the name of another man, that the Sheriff says, he believes, ran from them after that pursuit ended in a crash.

25-year-old Brandon Bettis, Chattanooga, is wanted by multiple agencies.

“My advice to anybody, don’t leave your keys in the car, lock your doors, if anybody comes looking suspicious, call 9-1-1,” said Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock.

It expanded six miles snaking atop Signal Mountain, going through two counties. The car was stolen in, what the Sheriff calls, a violent carjacking and home invasion in Hamilton County Monday night.

That chase ended on Taft Highway at Corral Road late Tuesday afternoon, when the vehicle slammed into a telephone pole, deploying airbags, and shattering the back window.

“He didn’t negotiate the turn, took the power pole off, one going to the hospital with injuries; the other is on foot, believed to be armed.”

News 12 is told the man taken to the hospital is suffering from a broken arm and is going to be monitored overnight before being booked into jail; his name is not being released.

His passenger, who police say is Bettis, allegedly fled from the scene, triggering a multi-agency manhunt with SWAT teams.

That’s because the Sheriff says he is armed with a 33 handgun.

“There’s word back here, there’s plenty of places for him to hide, so it is kind of scary,” said Kellie Blevins, who lives near the manhunt.

That manhunt was called off Tuesday night shortly after dusk. The Sheriff says he has exhausted all of his resources.