Runaway charged with attempted murder after attacking Chilhowie employee with knife, sparking chase in Tennessee | WJHL

CHILHOWIE, Virginia (WJHL) – A juvenile suspect was arrested by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) early Saturday morning, about an hour after he allegedly attacked a gas station clerk with a knife in Chilhowie, Virginia.

According to a news release from the Chilhowie Police Department on Wednesday, a THP officer witnessed a vehicle swerving while using a cellphone at around 1:48 a.m. Saturday. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop before the driver began a “reckless pursuit,” the news release states.

On Monday, the THP informed Chilhowie Police that the driver in that chase was identified as the wanted suspect in an armed robbery that occurred nearly an hour earlier. The juvenile suspect allegedly attacked a gas station clerk with a knife during an attempted robbery.

The juvenile suspect is awaiting extradition to Virginia, where he is charged with attempted first-degree murder. He is also charged in Tennessee, the press release states. The case is still under investigation and additional charges may be filed.

The press release states that the juvenile has been identified as a missing runaway from Massachusetts. He is currently being held at the Upper Tennessee Juvenile Detention Center in Johnson City.

Below is a statement from Chilhowie Police Chief Andrew Moss:

Although our officers and our agency staff developed and collected strong leads and evidence in this case, an arrest was very unlikely due to the suspect being a minor and attempting to flee the country. Without the outstanding work of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper, this arrest would not have been possible. It is this spirit of partnership that allows us to keep our communities safe!

Chief Andrew Moss of the Chilhowie Police Department