A Theft Of $22.23 Worth Of Food From The Canton Ingles On January 12th, Led To A Police Chase, A Manhunt, And The Arrest Of Four Individuals.
The Incident Began When Canton Police Issued An Alert For A Subaru Impreza Linked To The Theft Of Two Pepsis, A Rotisserie Chicken, And A Deli Tray. A Haywood County Sheriff’s Deputy Spotted The Vehicle In Clyde, Prompting The Driver To Flee. Deputies Eventually Ended The Pursuit Due To Safety Concerns As The Vehicle Navigated A Curvy Road.
The Suspects Abandoned The Car And Fled On Foot, Hiding It In A Secluded Area. Local Residents On Hyder Mountain Road Assisted Deputies, Reporting The Vehicle’s Location And Helping Track The Suspects. By 2 P.M., Deputies Had Located Two Individuals. Later That Evening, The Remaining Two Suspects Were Found Hiding In A Barn.
Thomas Paul Trantham, 29, And Sara Jane Elizabeth Pannell, 21, Of Sylva, Were Arrested On Outstanding Warrants, With Trantham Facing Additional Charges Including Possession Of Stolen Property And Resisting An Officer. Kelsey Shiane Barker, 26, Of Waynesville, And Brandon Michael Rhinehart, 34, Of Canton, Were Also Taken Into Custody, With Rhinehart Charged With Felony Fleeing And Other Offenses.
All Suspects Were Arrested Without Incident, Thanks To Coordinated Efforts Between Law Enforcement And Vigilant Neighbors.