According to an email the Standard received September 24, from Paulette Redman, the Media Relations Coordinator for the Sheriff’s Office, Monday September 22, Lt. Robbie MacDonald observed a vehicle, “Driving erratically in the area of Bear Springs. MacDonald, who was off duty at the time called 911 and followed the vehicle into Dover. Deputy Ryan Griffin and Sgt. Charles Fisher attempted to stop the vehicle but they refused to stop and turned down toward the Surrender House.” Not to surrender but in an attempt to avoid the deputies. According to Redman, once the vehicle was back on Hwy. 79 the driver headed east, still refusing to stop, running at speeds over 110 mph. Redman said Cpl. Josh Miller setup spike strips before the High School and two of the vehicles’ tires were flattened, however, the driver still refused to stop and continued east at a slower speed. “The driver turned into the parking lot of the Subway at Joiner Hollow Road and struck a vehicle before turning onto Joiner Hollow Road. When the vehicle attempted to turn onto Hwy. 120, Deputy Ryan Griffin ended the pursuit by striking the vehicle with his patrol unit, forcing them off the roadway and into a ditch,” Redman said. According to Redman, a loaded AK-47 and a pistol with a suppressor on it was found in the vehicle as well as methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Redman said the driver, 22-yearold Bennie Patterson of Erin had outstanding warrants out of Texas. He was charged with failure to maintain lane control, speeding, unlawful drug paraphernalia, manufacturing/deliver/ sell of a controlled substance, evading arrest, driving under the influence, possession of a weapon during felony, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless endangerment, manufacture/ sell/deliver/possession of a Schedule II drug, resisting arrest, failure to stop at stop sign and failure to signal turn…