News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Monterey Police Department seeking public assistance after a suspect escaped during a vehicle pursuit Tuesday morning.
Police Chief Bill Randolph said Austin Hofmeister allegedly stole a Coca-Cola tractor trailer in Crossville. Hofmeister entered the town limits via Highway 62 from Clarkrange.
“So one of our officers got behind it, and we had another officer waiting,” Randolph said. “When it started getting closer to town, Officer Beard attempted to spike it and flatten the tires to keep it from driving erratically in town.”
Randolph said Hofmeister avoided spike strips and continued accelerating, even attempting to hit the chief’s truck. Randolph said he terminated the pursuit near Woodcliff Road because of public safety.
“The truck went all the way into the ditch off the road to avoid the spikes and came back onto the road,” Randolph said. “I was in front of him waiting on him to come to town. When he got in front of the police department, he accelerated and almost hit me there.”
“I accelerated my speed to get in front of him,” Randolph said. “I was going to go up to Chestnut and block traffic and shut the road down to keep anybody from getting hurt. When I got to the right side of the road to shut traffic down, he swerved at me again there and barley missed the bumper of my truck.”
Randolph said the truck was found wrecked a short distance after. A foot pursuit began and K-9 tracking was initiated, but Randolph said the suspect still remains at large. Randolph said fortunately, no one was hurt during the pursuit.
Hofmeister was last seen in the area of Hwy 84 and Matheney Drive. He is wanted on numerous felony charges in Putnam and Cumberland County but is not considered dangerous.
The suspect was wearing a blue Memphis Grizzlies t-shirt with blue jeans. He is in his 20’s with arm tattoos.
