JACKSBORO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Earlier today, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office arrested Josh Neil Blair after a 72 hour manhunt.

On Tuesday, a Deputy observed a rollback that had been reported as stolen on General Carl Stiner Highway and initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, the driver of the stolen vehicle refused to exit the vehicle, and fled from police. The chase went through several fields before the driver returned to the roadway. He then put the rollback in reverse and repeatedly rammed police cruisers in an attempt to injure them. The chase continued into Claiborne County, where the driver abandoned the vehicle in a field and fled on foot.

Sheriff Robbie Goins and his team immediately started a search for the suspect that spanned nearly 72 hours and relied on the assistance of multiple agencies – including the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Helicopter Unit.

During the investigation, Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office received a tip about the suspect’s identity. Josh Neil Blair was arrested earlier today, and confessed to Tuesday’s crimes.

Blair stated that the chase started because he had a “loaded needle in his seat and he knew he was going to jail.” Blair shared that his use of heroin leads to blackouts, and he had no recollection of the chase – he only remembers waking up in the woods later that night.

“This arrest is due to the hard work of our deputies, and the great relationships we have built over the years with other law enforcement agencies,” said Sheriff Robbie Goins. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/01/2022-7:15PM)

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