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Last updated on Friday, August 8, 2014
(SHOALS) - Major T.J. Burkhardt of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department received a tip Thursday after from off-duty Town Marshal Todd Eckert that a man possibly wanted on a warrant in Orange County was at the RJ’s Food Mart in Shoals.
Major Burkhard located 33-year-old Billy Crash of Shoals at the station and was in the process of placing him under arrest, when Craft jumped into the driver's seat of a Chevrolet Impala, started the vehicle and attempted to flee.
The vehicle struck both Major T.J. Burkhard and Shoals Town Marshal Todd Eckert.
Major Burkhard was not injured, but Marshal Eckert suffered a knee injury.
Craft was able to escape in the Impala and fled at a high-rate of speed out of the parking lot and onto U.S. 150. Major Burkhardt pursued the vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed onto Butler Bridge Road. The officer caught up with the vehicle and that is when Craft bailed from the car and fled into the woods. The car rolled backward almost striking the police car and then crashed into a ditch.
Burkhard followed Craft into the woods and caught him. Craft fought with the officer and was tased by the officer.
Craft was arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement, criminal recklessness, driving while his driver's license was suspended, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, battery on a police officer, possession of syringes and meth. He was also wanted on an Orange County warrant for theft.
Craft was taken to the Martin County Jail where he is being held without bond pending an initial hearing.
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