Chase Suspect Remains in Jail

James Matthew Smith remains in the Bradley County jail today following his arrest on Saturday after attempts by three law enforcement agencies to stop the vehicle he was driving.

The pursuit started in Hamilton County when the sheriff's office received confirmation that Smith had an active probation violation warrant in Bradley County and attempted a traffic stop on Standifer Gap Road. The suspect was pursued onto I-75 into Bradley County, where they left the interstate at exit 20 and continued through several neighborhoods. It ended when Smith pulled into the parking lot of the Judicial Center on south Blythe Avenue. He was taken into custody after a brief scuffle.

Hamilton County, Bradley County, and Cleveland Police units were involved in the pursuit.

Deputies reported Smith's wife was in the vehicle at the time and made several attempts to escape during the pursuit.

Smith, who is 32 and gave an address in Benton Tennessee, has the following charges in Bradley County:

Especially Aggravated Kidnapping

Felony Reckless Endangerment

Felony Evading

Resisting Arrest

Vandalism

Failure to Maintain Lane

Violation of the Registration Law

Seatbelt Violation

Stop Sign Violation

Violation of Probation.

Smith is currently in the Bradley County jail with a hold placed for additional charges to be filed in Hamilton County.