Holly MatkinFlorence, SC – A 72-year-old U.S. Army veteran singlehandedly apprehended a wanted fugitive who was fleeing from police on Saturday morning.
“I ain’t been pumped up like that in a long time,” 72-year-old Florence County resident John Earl told WPDE.
The Army veteran said he was out in his yard on May 22 when a man came barreling across his property on foot.
Earl said he tried to ask the fleeing man why he was running, but that the suspect shoved him away and tried to run off, WPDE reported.
The 72-year-old veteran responded by tackling the suspect to the ground, where he proceeded to hogtie him.
Earl then called the sheriff’s office to come get the trespasser.
“It felt good, but it felt good when officers came and locked the cuffs on him and took him out,” Earl said of the takedown and turning the suspect over to law enforcement.
According to WPDE, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) had been searching for the suspect since Friday, when he allegedly led deputies on a pursuit involving two stolen vehicles.
Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye said the man ultimately bailed out of a vehicle and took off running on foot.
He escaped capture on Friday night.
The suspect’s identity has not been released at it is unclear what charges he is facing.
Earl said he is thankful for the law enforcement officers serving his community and commended them for all they do to keep residents safe, WPDE reported.
“They’re some fine officers,” he told WPDE.
Sandy Malone
