(MURFREESBORO) WGNS has more information on last Wednesday's (01/12/2020) failed escape of a Benton County suspect who faces charges in Bradley County and now in Rutherford County.
| The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reported they captured the escapee just after around Wednesday (1/12/2022) afternoon. He was found hiding in a storm drain behind a newly built auto collision business on South Church near I-24. After his capture, WGNS learned that 24-year-old Christopher John Taylor now faces new charges locally that include attempted car-jacking, felony theft, aggravated assault and felony escape. 
During a news conference, Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher said Taylor had previously been arrested on a parole violation for a drug charge and was being transported from Benton County to Bradley County. The man escaped on January 12th as a newly hired Benton County Corrections Officer was on route to the Bradley County jail, where he reportedly faced more charges. As for how Taylor escaped from the transport car… Benton County Sheriff Christopher noted, “He came through the screen in the back of the car where there was an open window.” Christopher went on to note that Taylor then attacked the 19-year-old corrections officer who was driving the transport vehicle. That officer was taken to Saint Thomas Rutherford to be treated for minor injuries and was later released. Sheriff Christopher told the media that while the corrections officer only had a few months under his belt, he did everything right in the situation. |
During a news conference, Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher said Taylor had previously been arrested on a parole violation for a drug charge and was being transported from Benton County to Bradley County. The man escaped on January 12th as a newly hired Benton County Corrections Officer was on route to the Bradley County jail, where he reportedly faced more charges.
As for how Taylor escaped from the transport car… Benton County Sheriff Christopher noted, “He came through the screen in the back of the car where there was an open window.” Christopher went on to note that Taylor then attacked the 19-year-old corrections officer who was driving the transport vehicle. That officer was taken to Saint Thomas Rutherford to be treated for minor injuries and was later released. Sheriff Christopher told the media that while the corrections officer only had a few months under his belt, he did everything right in the situation.
Taylor did not escape the car without a fight. Authorities say the corrections officer fought with Taylor once he pulled to the side of the road. A good Samaritan who was driving a big rig saw what was taking place, pulled over and physically pulled the suspect off the deputy. However, the role of the truck driver gave Taylor time to turn and run. The driver of the truck that stopped was reported as “Unknown.”
While the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the manhunt, multiple departments played a role in the capture of Taylor. Included in the manhunt were the Murfreesboro Police Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, along with the La Vergne PD. In the sky, a Highway Patrol helicopter oversaw the area of where Taylor was believed to be hiding.
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Once apprehended, Rutherford County Public Safety Director Chris Clark and his personnel provided support and Emergency Medical Services to check-over Taylor to determine if any injuries had occurred to the brazen escapee.
Local Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said that Rutherford County put so many officers and deputies on the search for Taylor out of concern. The Sheriff’s office wanted to ensure the safety of local citizens and their goal was to take the escapee back into custody as soon as possible.
Taylor was caught as Rutherford County Sheriff’s Sgt. Nick Coble and Sgt. James Holloway were behind Caliber Collision Center on South Church Street. While looking for Taylor, Sgt. Coble noticed fresh rust on a sewer cover and thought it was strange. Coble commented, “When I pulled it up, there he sat on a ledge. Sgt. Holloway helped pull him out of the hole.”
Holloway said they immediately handcuffed Taylor and placed him on the ground. Holloway went on to report, “Fortunately, it was just storm water and not sewage.”
Christopher John Taylor is now awaiting a General Sessions Court hearing that will take place in Rutherford County. That court hearing is for the escape charges that Taylor now faces for his failed attempt of freedom while being transported through Rutherford County on Interstate 24.
