08/12/15 Cross Lanes, WV – Suspect Stealing SUV Questioned By Deputy From Kanawha Sheriff’s Office – Suspect Fights With Deputy – Jumps In Patrol Car – Tries To Steal Patrol Car – Arrested

August 12, 2015

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A man allegedly tried to steal a police SUV in Cross Lanes early Tuesday.

Chad Lynn Hartness, 35, is accused of trying to steal a man’s vehicle on Brick Lane, according to a news release from Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Brian Humphreys. Once Cpl. J.T. Snyder arrived, Hartness allegedly tried to steal Snyder’s patrol vehicle as well.

Snyder responded to the call at about 3 a.m. Once there, the 911 caller told him the suspect had run away a moment earlier. While the two were talking, the caller pointed to Hartness, who was walking by, and said he believed that was the man who had tried to steal his vehicle.

Snyder drove to speak to Hartness while still in his patrol vehicle, an SUV. Hartness allegedly rapidly approached him and hit the driver’s door.

When Snyder got out and tried to restrain him, Hartness was able to pull away and get into the SUV through the driver’s door. Snyder attempted to extricate Hartness from the vehicle, while the suspect tried to put the vehicle into gear and stomped the pedals.

Hartness allegedly hit Snyder several times. Snyder used a Taser on him then was able to remove the 6-foot-7 suspect from his patrol vehicle and handcuff him.

Hartness was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and attempted grand larceny, both felonies, as well as the misdemeanor offense of battery on a police officer.

Hartness has a North Carolina driver’s license. Humphreys wasn’t sure if he was visiting or had moved to West Virginia.

Hartness was being held on $100,000 bail in South Central Regional Jail late Tuesday afternoon.