Acting on information initially provided by the Chattanooga Police Department Violent Crime Unit, ATF, U.S. Marshall’s Service, the FBI, the Bradley County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team and Criminal Investigations Division along with Capt Steve Lawson and Sheriff Tim Gobble, located and freed unharmed an alleged kidnap / hostage victim being held in a wooded area off Georgetown Road near Francisco Road. 

The incident began when a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle was spotted near I-75 and Paul Huff Parkway near where an alleged ransom drop was to be made. 

The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody during a felony traffic stop conducted near Petco as he left the drop area. 

BCSO SWAT team members then raided a hotel room being utilized by the suspects at the Exclusive Quarters, Paul Huff Parkway and I-75, where automatic weapons, money and drugs were recovered. 

Through additional cooperative investigative efforts between Chattanooga PD,  BCSO and the FBI, the BCSO SWAT team and CID investigators responded to a wooded area off Georgetown Road near Francisco Road located and freed the alleged hostage and took one additional suspect into custody.  A
9mm handgun was seized during this incident. 

Two additional females possibly connected to the plot were also located and detained as they were observed near the hotel room off Paul Huff. 

Sheriff Tim Gobble praised the work of the Chattanooga Police Department, the ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshall’s, BCSO CID and SWAT for their quick action and response.  He also thanked BCSO and Cleveland Police Department K-9 units for their response to locate evidence in the wooded area. 

The Sheriff also related, “This incident emphasizes the importance of being well trained and equipped to respond quickly and forcefully against heavily armed criminals to protect victims and the public alike.” 

All suspects were transferred to Chattanooga where the Chattanooga Police Department and Federal authorities continue their investigation. 

Charges against the suspects in Bradley County are also pending. 

A search of the wooded area for additional evidence resumes this morning. 

Further inquiries should be made with the Chattanooga Police Department and / or the FBI.