Stolen Gun from Virginia recovered in East Ridge

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- East Ridge Police say that at about 4:15 pm an off-duty East Ridge Police Officer, Timothy Allison was traveling northbound in his personal vehicle on Marley Way. The report says Officer Allison observed a dark blue Chevrolet Cruze traveling southbound on Marley Way at a very high rate of speed on the residential street. Officials say Officer Allison advised that the vehicle was traveling at such a high rate of that the driver almost struck his vehicle head-on which forced him to swerve off the roadway and onto a resident’s driveway to avoid being struck.

Assistant Chief Stan Allen say Officer Allison turned around on the vehicle in an attempt to obtain the registration plate so that he could issue a BOLO alert to surrounding jurisdictions. Allen says as Allison got behind the Chevrolet Cruze, the driver stuck a black semi-automatic pistol out of the window which was rolled down. Officer Allison told Assistant Chief Allen that the firearm had a mounted light attached to it. The driver then partially exited the vehicle and turned towards Officer Allison while pointing the firearm in his direction.

East Ridge Police Officers say they were later joined by Chattanooga Police Officers when they located the vehicle in the yard of 701 Parkdale Avenue Apartment.

Police say the owner of the vehicle told them she allowed her husband, William Hughes Wright to drive the vehicle.

Mr. Wright was contacted over the phone and he walked to 701 North Parkdale Avenue on foot. Officer Allison identified William Hughes Wright as the driver of the vehicle that pointed a firearm at him on Marley Way.

Mr. Wright was detained by police and admitted that there is a Glock firearm on their nightstand in the bedroom.

A search warrant was obtained by police and served for the vehicle and the residence. The firearm was located inside the apartment along with narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Officials says they determined the firearm had been reported stolen in Chesapeake, VA. William Wright was charged with Aggravated Assault and Theft Under $1000.

Police say there were no injuries in the incident.