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November 5, 2009

Sumiton fugitive returned to Cullman to face charges

By Patrick McCreless The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — A Sumiton man who eluded about 50 area law enforcement officers during an April manhunt, only to be arrested in Walker County in July, was recently returned to Cullman County to face charges.

According to Cullman County Sheriff’s reports, Christopher Laye, 27, was transferred from the Walker County Jail to the Cullman County Detention Center Sunday and charged with two counts of theft of property in the first degree and reckless endangerment. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.

“But should he make bond here, he will remain in custody with Walker County,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden.

Laye faces charges of attempted murder, theft of property and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in Walker.

“He’s been in custody in Walker County for a while ... but his cases there are still pending ... so we went ahead and got him,” Roden said.

The Cullman and Walker charges stem from a manhunt that began when Laye escaped custody from Sumiton police after being arrested in a meth bust in April. Laye allegedly stole a police vehicle to make his getaway and took an officer’s firearm with him.

Reports indicate Laye tried to run over a police officer during the escape.

Roden said at some point, Laye told a man that he was a police officer and convinced him to drive them both into Cullman County.

“That’s when a patrol deputy stopped him,” Roden said. “As the driver was getting out, he (Laye) takes off in the car. He tried to hit the deputy.”

Laye then drove to an unoccupied trailer in the Arkadelphia area. More than 50 officers from several law enforcement agencies surrounded the trailer for seven hours after an Alabama State Trooper in a helicopter witnessed Laye run inside.

After a seven-hour wait, agents launched tear gas and entered the trailer, only to discover Laye was not there. A short time later, agents discovered Laye had left the area in a vehicle stolen from the residence next door prior to their arrival.



* Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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