By C1 Staff
WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — An Watauga County jail inmate led authorities on a chase through several counties after using pliers as a weapon in order to escape.
Inmate James Brendon Smith was transported to Alexander County for a court appearance when he obtained a pair of needle-nosed pliers from a toolbox inside the facility, according to the Watauga Democrat.
He quickly used them to hold the officer transporting him hostage, holding the pliers to the throat of the officer.
Smith then stole a vehicle that dispatchers said had a large hunting knife in the driver’s side door.
Multiple agencies quickly banded together to search for the inmate, who has a prior history of aggression toward officers. Using air patrol, ground searches and K-9 units, Smith was taken into custody on Monday in Virginia.
After a car chase, Smith lost control of the vehicle and crashed. He then took off on foot before being apprehended via K-9. He was briefly hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.
Smith was originally charged with assault with a firearm on law enforcement officer, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving with license revoked and hit and run property damage.
He is now charged with felony alluding a police officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, hit and run, property damage and fugitive of justice.
He will be held at the Abingdon Regional Jail until his court process is finished in Virginia.