Attempted robbery at Tazewell Subway leads to police chase into Kentucky

A Middlesboro man was taken into custody Sunday evening after an attempted robbery at the Subway in Tazewell led to a 40-mile police chase to Pineville, Kentucky.

Tazewell Police Chief Jeremy Myers said Claiborne E911 received calls about the robbery at 5:23 p.m. and officers arrived at the scene within approximately 30 seconds, WRIL reported.

The officers on scene and Claiborne dispatch relayed information about the suspect, later identified as 68-year-old Thomas L. Johnson, originally from Middlesboro, Kentucky. Johnson fled from the North Broad Street Subway on a motorcycle and headed north on U.S. 25E.

Claiborne County Sheriff’s Deputies intercepted the motorcycle near Harrogate and attempted a traffic stop, but Johnson fled. A pursuit was initiated and continued through the Cumberland Gap tunnel into Middlesboro, where the U. S. Park Service, Middlesboro Police, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, and Kentucky State Police took over the pursuit.

The pursuit came to an end on Highway 25E on Log Mountain near Pineville, Kentucky, when Johnson lost control and crashed. Pineville Police and Bell County EMS also responded to that scene.  He was taken into custody and uninjured.

Thomas Johnson was transported back to the Claiborne County Jail and was charged with Attempted Robbery by Tazewell Police and Felony Evading by the U.S. Park Service. He was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Yield to Lights and Sirens.

“Thankfully no one was injured in the robbery attempt. Tazewell Police Department would like to thank all of the coordinating agencies and officers for their assistance in apprehending Mr. Johnson,” Chief Myers said.

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