Monday, June 13, 2011
Lawrenceburg Man Apprehended Driving Stolen Truck
A Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy conducting a traffic stop during the weekend quickly learned that the driver was, in fact, operating a stolen vehicle.
Christopher Chad Johnson, 30, of 106 Bluff Drive, Lawrenceburg, was arrested in the wake of the traffic stop on U.S. Highway 43 South in the Leoma area.
The reporting officer indicates that he initiated the traffic stop after noticing that the truck had no functional brake lights, only parking lights. Johnson was reportedly operating the vehicle with no driver license or other identification.
The deputy reports that when he asked Johnson why he was operating the vehicle with no driver license, he stated, “I’m taking the truck to a friend’s house and I’m the only one that can drive drunk…” Johnson told the officer that he was taking a friend home, however the deputy notes that no one else was inside the vehicle.
While speaking with Johnson, the deputy reports that a white car pulled behind them. Driver Tyler Lanning informed the deputy that the truck in which Johnson was traveling had been stolen from Rick’s Barbeque Commissary in Dunn.
The deputy also reports that when Johnson was asked to exit the truck he displayed signs of being under the influence of an intoxicant. He reports that Johnson was “unable to perform field sobriety tests.”
Johnson was arrested on charges of theft of property, driving on a revoked license, first offense DUI and violation of the implied consent law.
The truck was returned to the custody of the owner.
