Posted 7/2/24

June 30th while on patrol in Smith County at the Buffalo Valley Rest Area on I-40, Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers were investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at the rest area.

A trooper approached the vehicle and observed a male and female sleeping inside the vehicle. During the investigation, the trooper confirmed that the vehicle was stolen.

The trooper instructed the occupants out of the vehicle and detained them with handcuffs behind their backs. The female occupant was identified as Karen Vallie, 42 years of age, from Montana.

The male occupant provided the trooper with a fraudulent name and social security number. The male was eventually identified as Charles D. Lawson, 55 years of age, from Tennessee.

As the troopers inventoried the stolen vehicle's contents and interviewed Ms. Vallie, Mr. Lawson gained control of the trooper’s patrol vehicle and fled the scene.

Mr. Lawson soon after crashed the stolen THP patrol vehicle in Putnam County around Tucker Ridge Road, he then escaped, and is still on the run.

If you spot Mr. Lawson do not approach him, instead we ask that you dial 911 immediately.