THP Searching for Convicted Felon in Stolen Vehicle

MANHUNT INITIATED AFTER PURSUIT THAT ENDS IN WRECK

Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol and law enforcement authorities in White County are searching for a Missouri felon who, after fleeing from a Trooper and wrecking a pick-up truck he was in, escaped on foot.  Investigators believe he may be en route to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in a stolen gold 1997 Toyota Avalon with Tennessee tag 220 GJT.

Kirk Douglas Fincher of Kansas City, Missouri, was one of three occupants in a 2002 Black Ford pick-up truck who lost control and crashed during a pursuit on Old Kentucky Road in White County.  At approximately 8:00 a.m., Thursday morning, Trooper Michael Loftis observed the Ford pick-up on Interstate 40 at mile marker 287 in Putnam County.  Trooper Loftis attempted to stop the truck for following another vehicle too closely, and that is when the pursuit began.  Trooper Loftis followed the vehicle on Highway 111 South to Old Kentucky Road before the suspects crashed near the airport area.

Fincher was released from a Missouri prison in January 2008, after serving a 17-year sentence for homicide of a police officer.   Authorities found ammunition for various weapons in the wrecked Ford pick-up, but no guns were recovered.  Later in the day, Fincher allegedly broke into a White County home and stole a 1997 Toyota Avalon.  The Toyota Avalon has a moon-roof and non-factory tinted windows with a chrome ring around the license plate. 

A 17-year-old occupant of the vehicle is in custody.  He was spotted near a church by local residents and arrested at approximately 4:20 p.m., Thursday, by a White County Sheriff’s deputy and Trooper Loftis.   The third suspect, Nicklas Hickson, is still at-large and could possibly still be in the White County area.

Deputies from the White, Putnam and Cumberland County Sheriff’s departments, along with the Cookeville and Monterey Police Departments assisted in the manhunt.