Police: Escapee spotted after evading officers during chase
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A renewed effort is under way to find a fugitive on the run in West Tennessee who has already eluded law enforcement twice. Jason Kirk has been on the run for almost three days but was only spotted by law enforcement for the first time late Tuesday night. According to Jackson police, Kirk was also spotted walking down Huntersville-Denmark Road in west Madison County by multiple residents Wednesday night. Now, after ditching a stolen car and taking off on foot into the woods, it has some wondering if he will ever be caught. “It’s a little concerning to me that these criminals are able to get loose and then no one can find them,” resident Sandra Turner said. After managing to evade law enforcement for two days, Jackson police said they finally caught up with Kirk Tuesday night. “They attempted to make a vehicle stop, and the suspect then fled westbound on Interstate 40,” Capt. Mike Landreth with the Jackson Police Department said. Investigators say once on I-40, Kirk led them on a high-speed chase in a Ford Mustang stolen from Murfreesboro, eventually leading police to a rest stop in Madison County. “He pulled in behind the rest stop and fled briefly down a small field road,” Landreth said. “Then he left the car and fled on foot.” Police originally began tracking the Lawrence County escapee Tuesday afternoon after receiving a tip he may be at a Pilot truck stop here in Jackson to see a family member who works there. But with Kirk still not in custody, it has those traveling through the area on edge. “I might not have come alone, and I might have delayed the trip until I knew that this guy had been caught,” Sandra Turner said. “I would have been much more cautious than I have been, because I make this trip all the time.” Investigators said the stolen Mustang that Kirk was driving is now a key piece of evidence and may help in finding where he is headed next. Although he is not considered a violent criminal, police said he could be getting desperate. “At this point we really haven’t determined any danger with the suspect, but he is still an escapee,” Landreth said. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Kirk is now believed to have shorter hair than in his mugshot and a braided ponytail. Anyone who has seen Kirk or know where he is can call the Marshals Service at 731-427-4661. A cash reward is being offered.
