Randy Austin Pruitte
(Smith County Insider Press)—Randy Austin Pruitte (28, Lebanon) has been arrested four days after fleeing the scene when Smith County police responded to a reported theft on July 8, 2018.
According to the police report, Deputy Robin Bellar was dispatched to Crook Lane in Carthage around noon on July 8, 2018, in response to a report that Pruitte had stolen a wallet out of another man’s unattended vehicle.
When the victim confronted Pruitte about the theft, Pruitte quickly fled the scene in his maroon ’98 model Ford Escort sedan, allegedly coming close to hitting the victim and his son.
Carthage City Officer John Baiera and Sergeant Jarod Smith were called in to pursue Pruitte. According to the police report, the chase began on Hogan’s Creek Road and ended when the vehicle crashed through several fences and into a field somewhere between Mullherrin Road and Dennys Branch.
Pruitte and another suspect who was riding in the vehicle fled on foot in an unknown direction following the crash.
According to the police report, the area was subsequently searched by Sheriff Steve Hopper, Sergeant Jimmy Lankford, Deputy Robin Bellar, Gordonsville City Sergeant BJ Jackson, Carthage City Officers John Baiera and Jarod Smith, and K-9 Deputy Ridge Long and K-9 Constance. The officers were unable to locate Pruitte or his passenger.
Pruitte was eventually apprehended in Wilson County on July 11, 2018. He was then transported to the Smith County Jail for booking.
Pruitte is charged with one count of fraudulent use of credit or debit, one count of burglary, one count of theft of property, and two counts of reckless endangerment.
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