A Carter County deputy may have thought he was experiencing déjà vu when he arrested the same man twice Saturday after encountering him driving the same car on the same street in Hampton.
Carter County Sheriff’s Department Deputy David Caldwell arrested Jerry Brian Baird, 42, 169 Hazelwood Hollow Road, Hampton, twice Saturday.
On Saturday morning, shortly before 10, Caldwell encountered Baird for the first time that day. Caldwell was on routine patrol when he saw a Geo Tracker fail to stop for the stop sign at the corner of Church Street and First Avenue in Hampton. The deputy then followed the car and said the driver once again ran a stop sign, this time at the intersection of Church Street and Highway 19E.
When Caldwell stopped the car, he found Baird behind the wheel. A records check found that Baird’s driver’s license was suspended for failing to pay a previous citation, Caldwell said.
During the traffic stop, Caldwell determined the tags displayed on the vehicle actually were registered to another car.
Caldwell arrested Baird and charged him with driving on a suspended license and violation of the registration law. He took Baird to the Carter County Detention Center, where he was later released after posting bond.
About seven hours later, Caldwell was again on Church Street in Hampton when he saw Baird for the second time that day, driving the same car.
When Baird saw him, Caldwell said he ordered Baird to stop but the man drove away, running another stop sign.
“After giving a short chase, I stopped Mr. Baird at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Crook Street,” Caldwell said. After Caldwell read Baird his rights, Baird told him he tried to get away because he feared going back to jail, Caldwell said.
Caldwell again arrested Baird, this time charging him with driving on a suspended license and evading arrest.
Upon further investigation, Caldwell found that the car Baird was driving had been reported stolen in 2011, he said, adding he additionally charged Baird with possession of stolen property.
Baird appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the charge of evading arrest. He was ordered to pay a $25 fine as well as court costs and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days of probation.
The two charges of driving on a suspended license were continued, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on April 27. The possession of stolen property charge was dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.