A routine traffic stop on the morning of October 25 escalated into a multi-agency manhunt and subsequent arrest after a driver fled police in a stolen vehicle, crashed, and later sought refuge inside a local church.

According to a police report filed by Corporal Ben Griffin of the Fairfield Glade Police Department, the incident began around 8:33 AM when Griffin observed a white Chevrolet Cruze with Kentucky plates traveling eastbound on Peavine Road at roughly 45 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, after crossing over the fog line.

When Griffin pulled the vehicle over near Howard Terrace, the male driver—wearing a red hoodie—stated he only possessed a permit. While fumbling through the glove box and center console, the suspect suddenly accelerated and fled the scene. Griffin deactivated his emergency equipment and declined to pursue the vehicle.

Minutes later, dispatch received reports of a single-vehicle crash involving the same white Cruze at the intersection of Bradford Lane and St. George Drive, where witnesses saw a man in a red jacket flee on foot. Investigators soon discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Kentucky.

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units were deployed to track the fleeing suspect. The search culminated at approximately 10:45 AM when dispatch received a call from a church on Snead Drive reporting that a man matching the suspect’s description had entered looking for a ride.

Law enforcement officers arrived at the church, where Cumberland County Sheriff’s Sergeant Seiber detained the individual. Griffin arrived shortly after and positively identified him as the driver who had fled earlier that morning. According to police, the suspect—identified as Luther Edward Rowe—admitted to stealing the car while being questioned at the scene.

Rowe was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Jail. He was booked on warrants for theft of property and evading arrest. The stolen Chevrolet Cruze was towed from the crash scene, and Rowe’s personal belongings recovered from the vehicle were turned over to jail staff.