A routine traffic stop escalated into a felony arrest on June 20, 2026, after a driver allegedly attempted to discard a stolen handgun while trying to evade officers, according to the Crossville Police Department. Brian Fisher was arrested and faces multiple charges, including tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, following an afternoon pursuit through city streets.

The incident began when Officer Matt Charlock observed a maroon Mitsubishi Lancer improperly stopped past the white stop line at the intersection of Chestnut Street and North Main Street. Officer Charlock also noted that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle crossed North Main Street, ran a second stop sign at Livingston Road, and made a sharp right turn onto Keyes Street. As the vehicle turned, Patrolman Park witnessed a black object being thrown from the driver’s side window into the gravel.

The vehicle finally came to a halt halfway down Keyes Street. While officers secured the vehicle’s four occupants, Patrolman Price searched the area where the object was discarded and recovered a Jennings Firearms J-22 .22 LR caliber semi-automatic handgun inside a brown suede holster. A dispatch check revealed the firearm had been reported stolen out of Wayne County, New York.

Three passengers in the vehicle consented to searches and were interviewed by police. According to passenger statements, Fisher became visibly nervous when he spotted the police, stating, “Cops, we are hit,” before jerking his arm out of the window to discard the weapon.

Fisher initially denied any knowledge of the firearm. However, during a consensual search of his person, he admitted to possessing a marijuana “joint.” Later, while being questioned by Lt. South, Fisher dropped his outright denials, answering “I don’t know” when asked if he bought the gun for self-protection following a recent stabbing incident.

A background check revealed that Fisher was driving on a suspended license and is a convicted felon, with a 2009 felony conviction for the sale of marijuana. Fisher was transported to the Cumberland County Justice Center and booked on warrants for Tampering with Evidence and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Authorities noted that Fisher was not charged with the marijuana possession, driving on a suspended license, or theft of the firearm, as there was no evidence he knew the handgun was stolen. The recovered firearm remains in the custody of the Crossville Police Department evidence division, and Wayne County authorities have been notified of its recovery.