On December 6th, Cherokee County Law Enforcement agencies were alerted to a stolen vehicle from Mississippi had been spotted by a tag reader near Leesburg. Leesburg Police and other agencies began to look for the vehicle which was occupied by a pair of runaway teens from Tennessee. The vehicle was spotted on the causeway approaching Cedar Bluff.

When law enforcement attempted to stop it, the driver sped away reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. In attempting to escape, the driver turned off highway 9 onto Lake Place Lane where he drove into a yard causing damage to the vehicle rendering it inoperable. He then approached two different residents in the area brandishing a handgun demanding keys to their vehicles. They refused, no one was injured and subsequently the offender was apprehended by law enforcement.

The teen has been held in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting hearing which was held this week. The Judge said the 17 year old could be charged as an adult and his identity released. He is Joshua Michael Martin of Dayton, Tennessee and is charged with 2 counts of robbery in the 1st degree and remains lodged in the Detention Center without bond.