Manhunt continues in Hamilton, Sequatchie counties

photo Samuel Elliot Westerfield
photo Cody Scott Johnson

A manhunt that began at 6 a.m. Saturday in Sequatchie County continued in Sequatchie and Hamilton counties as of press time Saturday night, according to investigators.

Officers are searching for Samuel Elliot Westerfield, 21, of Winchester, and Cody Scott Johnson, 22, of Signal Mountain. Both are believed to be armed and dangerous, according to the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office.

Winchester was originally found around 6 a.m. Saturday in a stolen vehicle on Signal Mountain, but then he ran off into nearby woods and was later picked up by Johnson a Nissan that Johnson allegedly stole from his grandmother.

Investigators said the pair dumped the second stolen vehicle in Chattanooga. Police found the Nissan close to the Northgate Mall in Hixson. Detective Chris Walker with the Sequatchie Sheriff's Office said investigators believe the two men were picked up by someone else after abandoning the vehicle.

Charges are pending for Westerfield for attempted aggravated robbery, theft of property over $1,000, evading arrest, resisting arrest, and possession of a prohibited weapon by a convicted felon. Charges are also pending for Johnson for theft of property over $10,000.

When Westerfield was initially spotted Saturday he was with Shauna Lauren Tate, 23, of Dunlap. Tate was taken into custody on charges of theft of property over $1,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Sequatchie County authorities.

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Westerfield or Johnson is encouraged to contact the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office at 423-949-7750, or Sequatchie County Dispatch at 423-949-9912.

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