Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Eight days after a dramatic incident that led to multiple warrants being issued, James Rucker, 53, was finally apprehended by Newport Police during a routine patrol. The arrest took place in Newport, a small town located in Cocke County, Tennessee.
Observation by Newport Police
Officer Justin Shelton of the Newport Police Department was patrolling the area of Old Knoxville Highway when he noticed several males acting suspiciously near a vacant residence. Upon closer inspection, one of the males provided a false name, claiming to be “James Cleeson.” It was later revealed that this individual was actually James Rucker.
Previous Incident in Jefferson City
The warrants for Rucker’s arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred in Jefferson City, a city in Jefferson County, Tennessee. On February 17, the Jefferson City Police Department responded to a theft at Walmart, where Rucker was identified as the suspect. He fled the scene in a black Jeep, leading to a high-speed chase that resulted in a collision with a patrol car.
Following the crash, Rucker abandoned the vehicle near Exit 4 off I-81, where it was later discovered by officers from the White Pine Police Department.
Charges and Arrest in Newport
Aside from the warrants issued by Jefferson County, Rucker was found in possession of .58 grams of suspected heroin and a syringe at the time of his arrest in Newport. In addition to the existing charges, he now faces further charges in Cocke County, including criminal impersonation, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful drug paraphernalia.
The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office has set Rucker’s bond at $30,000 for the new charges.
Overall, the arrest of James Rucker in Newport marks the culmination of a series of events that began in Jefferson City and unfolded across multiple jurisdictions in Tennessee. The cooperation between law enforcement agencies ultimately led to the apprehension of a suspect who had been evading capture for over a week.
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