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Police chase ends with crash on S. Howard Ave.

 

LANDRUM—On Friday, April 4, a man was arrested after leading a police chase through multiple counties, including Polk, Spartanburg and Henderson.

According to Easley Police, Timothy Samples, 39, who had multiple warrants for his arrest, fired shots at a police officer during the pursuit. The officer was not harmed.

The chase began after police attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle Samples was driving at approximately 6 a.m., but Samples refused to comply. Easley officers disengaged after shots were fired, police said. Samples led police to Henderson County and Polk County, and other law enforcement agencies got involved. The chase continued through downtown Tryon on Highway 176 into Spartanburg County. 

The pursuit ended after Samples crashed on S. Howard Avenue near Carruth Furniture in Landrum. Landrum police officers and South Carolina Highway Patrol were quickly able to subdue the suspect and arrest him.

“They got out really quickly and drew their guns, and then they went around the side of the transfer truck and had their guns drawn on him and drug him out of the car and arrested him,” said John Carruth, owner of Carruth’s Furniture.

A portion of S. Howard Avenue was temporarily closed after the arrest and as the wreckage from the crash was removed.

Samples was charged with attempted murder, violation of a court order of protection, stalking, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, violation of a restraining order, failure to stop for a blue light, and stalking when a restraining order is in effect. Additionally, Samples faces charges in Henderson County for felony flee/elude arrest, reckless driving, failure to heed light/siren, failure to stop at a red light, and failure to maintain lane control.

Samples was transferred to Pickens County Detention Center, where he awaits prosecution.