Suspect uses trap door to avoid arrest, Monroe Co. sheriff says

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Multiple agencies executed an arrest warrant on a home in Madisonville Tuesday, according to Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones.

The sheriff’s office, along with the Madisonville Police Department, executed the felony arrest warrant at a home on Marietta Street.

When agencies arrived, a male ran from officers and entered a trap door in a closet that dropped underneath the home.

“Law enforcement officers announced multiple times for the wanted male to come out from under the residence, but he refused to comply,” officials said. “CS gas was deployed into the trap door area, and the wanted male still refused to comply.”

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office got there and arrested the man using its SWAT team and K-9.

A woman was also arrested for helping the wanted suspect.

The man, who was not identified, was charged with failure to appear on arson, felony evading arrest, violation of probation and resisting arrest.

The woman was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact.