Man Leads Newport Police On Foot Chase

A 37 year old man led Newport officers on a foot chase through a neighborhood and even the Union Cemetery Wednesday night. Newport police had received a tip from the Cocke County Sheriff’s office about a dark colored Ford Mustang that was a possible stolen vehicle. Shortly before midnight Wednesday night, officer Jessie Burgess noticed a vehicle with that description heading south on Lincoln Ave. When the driver of that vehicle noticed the patrol car behind them, it began making several turns through neighboring streets…eventually winding up on 9th street when the driver jumped out of the moving car. That suspect later identified as Travis Wilkins who then led officers Burgess and Shane Bowers on a foot chase behind the apartments on 9th street and even through the cemetery. Wilkins was found trying to hide in a wooded area and was taken into custody. The reason he gave for running was that his license was revoked after a DUI charge in Jefferson County. The passenger in that Ford Mustang had jumped into the driver seat and took off with the car before officers could return.