Fort Payne PD identifies man involved in yesterday's chase

PHOTO: A mugshot of Dennis John Johnson (43 of Albertville). Johnson is facing multiple charges after leading law enforcement on a chase from Fort Payne crossing into Georgia yesterday morning. (Marshall County Sheriff's Office)

By Staff Reports

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Police Department issued a statement on yesterday's chase: Yesterday (April 9, 2018) at approximately 9:50 am Officer Dalton Veal attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the 800 block of Gault Ave South on a white pickup truck.

A 2014 mugshot of **Dennis John Johnson** (No recent mugshot available)

The driver of the pickup failed to stop and continued north on Gault Ave. The driver made a series of turns throughout the city of Fort Payne and eventually continued north on Greenhill Blvd exiting the city limits.

Several Fort Payne Officers, Fort Payne Detectives, Hammondville Police Officers, Dekalb County Sheriff’s Deputies, Mentone Police Officers and Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputies all assisted in trying to stop the suspects vehicle.

The vehicle continued across Lookout Mountain into Georgia where it was eventually spiked by Chattooga County Deputies. The driver of the pickup jumped and ran from the vehicle and was detained, he was identified as Dennis John Johnson, age 43 of Albertville.

During the apprehension of Mr. Johnson, he was found to have a handgun in a holster in his left hand. While vehicle pursuits are rare in the city of Fort Payne, Chief Bynum states all of our officers did an outstanding job while trying to bring Mr. Johnson into custody.

Mr. Johnson’s charges for the Fort Payne Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office are:

(Felony) Leaving the Scene of an Accident which Involved a Fort Payne Police vehicle leaving the roadway and coming to rest in a field
Four Counts of Attempt Assault in the First Degree, stemming from Mr. Johnson trying to run into officers during the pursuit while on his escape route
(Convicted Felon) One Count of Certain Persons Prohibited to Carry a Firearm
One Count of Attempting to Elude
One Count of Reckless Endangerment

There will possibly be more charges pending out of the City of Fort Payne and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and he has several charges in Chattooga County.

Mr. Johnson is currently being held in Chattooga County Detention Center then will be extradited back to Fort Payne.

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