By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—With the help of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office K9 Droid, sheriff’s deputies took a Paris man into custody after a chase through a field near Lakewood School on Hwy. 79S. In the course of the chase, the suspect rammed a sheriff’s patrol car, knocking the bumper off.
Steven Baker, age 35, of 126 Broken Arrow Dr., is in custody at the Jail on charges of evading arrest, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, probation violation and driving on a revoked license.
Baker is being held at the Henry County Jail without bond. He also is being held on charges out of Stewart Co.
A second man who was a passenger in Baker’s car is still at large. Sheriff Monte Belew told WENT/WTPR that it is believed that the second suspect was picked up by someone after the incident. That unnamed suspect also has active warrants on him and deputies are still searching for him.
While scuffling with deputies, Baker was bitten by Droid and was taken to Henry County Medical Center and treated before being taken to jail.
During the event, Lakewood School was immediately notified and extra officers were on hand for security.
The incident began when Lt. Lance Perry got behind a 2004 blue Chevrolet Impala traveling toward the lake on Hwy. 79N. Lt. Perry identified the driver as Baker and knew that he had several active arrest warrants against him.
According to Captain Adam Jenkins, Lt. Perry initiated emergency lights and siren and the vehicle fled.
A pursuit ensued involving several officers. Jenkins said at one point Lt. Perry was able to get in front of Baker and attempted to slow him down, but Baker rammed into the rear end of Perry’s patrol unit knocking the bumper off.
Baker then crossed over into the wrong lane traveling inbound into oncoming traffic, Jenkins said. Once Baker got to Lakewood School he fled the roadway into a soybean field traveling back to the wood line, doing extensive damage to the bean field.
Jenkins said during this time the suspect vehicle’s tire came off and Deputy Frankie Scott, who pursued him into the bean field, pulled up next to the driver door in an attempt to keep Baker from fleeing.
Scott’s Ppatrol unit slid into the suspect vehicle’s door but Baker had already gotten out and ran.
Sheriff Belew and Sgt. Terry Williams, along with K-9 Droid were able to track the suspect into a very thick portion of the bean field where Droid bit the suspect.
Jenkins said when attempting to handcuff the suspect a struggle ensued. After an unsuccessful attempt to taze the suspect an impact weapon was used to aid in taking Baker into custody. Baker was later taken to Henry County Medical Center where he was treated and released.
Lt. Perry will be filing additional charges in reference to this incident and Baker will be responsible for restitution for the damage to the bean field.
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