Dover, Tenn.–A wanted felon being pursued by Henry County Sheriff’s deputies and drug agents was arrested after a pursuit into Stewart County, but the arrest involved a tussle which ended with the suspect, Stewart County Sheriff’s deputy and his K9 falling over a guardrail and into a ditch.
The suspect’s female companion –who is from Paris –was found a short while later and it was determined later that a three-month-old baby was in the car with them during the pursuit.
Gary Bobo Baker is lodged in the Henry County Jail, where he was taken after he was treated at Vanderbilt Medical Center for dog bites. Charges in Stewart County are pending and will include possession of meth, marijuana, resisting arrest and evading.
Aron Michelle Norwood, age 34, of Paris, is being held on numerous charges, including reckless driving, reckless endangerment, child abuse and neglect, evading and drug charges.
Stewart County deputies were alerted Thursday that Henry County deputies were in pursuit and the vehicle turned onto Walnut Grove Road off Hwy 79W.
K9 Handler Sgt. Robbie MacDonald observed the vehicle on Hwy. 232 and as he attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled.
According to the press release from the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, during the pursuit a male attempted several times to exit the vehicle on the passenger side but the vehicle never slowed down enough.
Sgt. MacDonald forced the vehicle to stop near Lower Standing Rock Road. When Sgt. MacDonald approached the vehicle the suspect exited the vehicle and MacDonald attempted to hold him at gun point until he had another unit on the scene.
Baker resisted and a struggle began, according to the press release. Sgt. MacDonald then hit the release button on his vest which released his partner K-9 Harry. When Harry entered the struggle all three went over the guardrail and down an embankment.
Baker was then held by Harry until he was cuffed by Sgt. MacDonald. Harry was then released from the suspect and Sgt. MacDonald secured Harry and Baker until back up arrived.
According to the press release, the suspect was found to have a large quantity of meth and cash in his possession. He also was out on parole from prison and had numerous warrants on file, including the possession of 1.5 lbs. of meth. According to the press release, Baker was able to flee from Henry County deputies earlier this month.
Baker was taken to Vanderbilt and treated for dog bites.
The female driver fled the scene when the struggle ensued. She was taken into custody at a residence in Upper Standing Rock. According to the press release, the vehicle had been pulled behind a residence with a tarp put over it attempting to hide it. She was found to have a three-month old in the vehicle during the pursuit.
According to the press release, the baby suffered NO injuries during the pursuit. The driver was found to have meth in her possession and other evidence indicating that they had intended to distribute drugs, the press release said.
The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office stated in the press release that they would have terminated the pursuit if they had knowledge an infant was in the vehicle at the time.
Baker was released Friday May 28th from Vanderbilt and was booked into Henry County Jail.