Newport Police Arrest Man Wanted In Jefferson County

The Newport man who rammed a Jefferson City Patrol Cruiser and fled from Jefferson County authorities is now in custody. 53 year old James Rucker was the suspect in a theft at Wal-Mart in Jefferson City back on February 17. Rucker fled out of the parking lot, but then re-entered the Wal-Mart parking lot and took aim at a patrol car. Rucker then got back on Hwy 11E and took off. His vehicle was found abandoned at Exit 4 on I-81 a short time later.

Earlier this week, Newport police spotted several subjects wandering around a vacant home. One of those subjects happened to be James Rucker. He was taken into custody and is facing felony charges in Jefferson County as well as drug charges in Cocke County as he was found with just over half a gram of heroin when he was arrested. Rucker is being held in the Cocke County jail on a $30,000 bond.