Hamilton County deputies recover stolen car, drugs, guns after pursuit

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County deputies pursued two vehicles for theft early Sunday morning. They recovered one stolen car and made one arrest.

The pursuit began Sunday, November 5 at around 4 a.m.

A deputy in Hixson responded to a BOLO on a red Mazda CX5 and a Gray Mazda SUV. He spotted the two vehicles speeding out of the area and attempted to stop them. They both fled and the deputy continued to pursue them.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said the gray Mazda was stolen.

In addition, the red Mazda was involved in a pursuit the day prior with East Ridge Police. Authorities say those in the red Mazda stole ammunition from Bass Pro Shops.

Deputies lost sight of the gray Mazda near Roanoke and Citico Avenue. They later found the car unoccupied at East 5th Street and North Holly Street.

Then at around 5 a.m., HCSO deputies saw the red Mazda near Vine Street and attempted to stop it. It once again fled but eventually crashed into a tree, according to the HCSO.

The occupants of the car then got out of the car and ran. The sheriff’s office said they caught the driver of the red Mazda in a yard near Arlington Avenue.

They say the driver was a 16-year-old boy, so they have not released his identity.

But deputies said they found two firearms and eight blue pressed pills on the teenager. The HCSO said those pills are commonly associated with fentanyl. Authorities did not state whether or not the pills were actually fentanyl.

Deputies took the teen to the hospital, and later booked him into the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center.

“I am very proud of the proactive actions of Sergeant Mark Williams and our Uniformed Patrol deputies who routinely respond to calls across this county in support of our local partners regardless of where the crime occurred,” Sheriff Austin Garrett said. “Keeping our community safe is ultimately a team effort and the HCSO is proud to lead the way in helping our law enforcement partners protect all of our county and the citizens we are so proud to serve.”