“What a day,” said a Facebook post from the Town of Boone Police Department in North Carolina this week after a thief sent them on a wild tractor chase.
“So, many of you have heard, or have seen the videos, that we got in a pursuit with a tractor,” said the department. “The stolen tractor was being operated by a person who we are very familiar with, Mr. Ronnie Hicks.”
Police Chief Andy Le Beau explained that the department “received a call about the tractor being driven erratically in a parking lot trying to hit pedestrians,” Tuesday. Hicks even struck several vehicles, a dumpster and a church while driving the tractor, said Le Beau.
He added that Hicks intentionally drove the tractor into oncoming traffic and at one point purposely rammed into a police vehicle. Officers became more worried as he got near a local school.
“Once he turned onto Old 421, we were next concerned about Parkway Elementary and were determined not to let him get that far,” Le Beau said. “When the tractor was in an isolated area, one of our officers shot the tires of the tractor (with my authorization).”
After the tires were shot, the tractor turned onto Elk Creek Road. Hicks drove for few miles without a front tire before eventually stopping. Police said he then jumped off the tractor, wielding a knife.
“A Boone officer utilized a Taser, and the suspect was taken into custody without injury to the suspect or the officers,” according to Le Beau. “Fortunately, no injuries occurred throughout this incident.”
He said the department was assisted by the Watauga County Sherif’s Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
“We will put out a more detailed press release to the media as soon as we can,” the chief added.
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