Tennessee Troopers Arrest Alabama Man after Stealing Truck in Chattanooga

NASHVILLE --- An Alabama man was taken into custody this afternoon and charged with stealing a 2002 Ford pick-up truck from a construction site in downtown Chattanooga.

Lance Theodore Mitchell, 38, of Bryant, Alabama is charged with a Class C Felony Theft of Vehicle, DUI Second Offense, Violation of Implied Consent and Driving on Suspended for DUI. 

At approximately 2:15 p.m. EST, the owner of the 2002 Ford pick-up observed a subject driving away with his vehicle on Martin Luther King Boulevard.  The keys to the Ford had been left inside the vehicle unlocked.  The owner then reported the theft by calling 9-1-1.   Troopers heard a BOLO to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle and noticed a vehicle matching the description at the Kangaroo Gas Station located on Browns Ferry Road just off Exit 175 on I-24 in Hamilton County.

Trooper Thomas Clower, Lt. James Burnette, Lt. Christie Phillips and Sgt. Tim Spicer proceeded to make a felony stop on the suspect without incident.   Mitchell was booked into the Hamilton County jail and has a criminal history that includes felony convictions.      

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public.  The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.