Rutherford County -- April 2, 2026: A relentless cross-border pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies ended Wednesday, April 1, with the apprehension of a Spartanburg man who allegedly stole vehicles during a chaotic spree through North Carolina and South Carolina.
Austin Shane Tucker, of Spartanburg, SC, is currently held at the Rutherford County Detention Center under a $330,000 secured bond.
Timeline of the Pursuit
The incident began at approximately 11:42 AM when Rutherford County deputies were notified that the North Carolina Highway Patrol was pursuing a vehicle stolen out of Spartanburg the previous day.
The First Escape: After deputies deployed "stop sticks" on Harris Henrietta Road, the suspect abandoned the stolen car and fled into the woods near a solar farm.
The Solar Farm Heist: While a perimeter was being established, the suspect was spotted inside the Southern Power Solar Farm, where he stole a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) to navigate the property before fleeing on foot again.
Motorcycle Pursuit: The suspect then stole a motorcycle on Providence Road. He led officers on a high-speed chase into the Chase community and onto U.S. 221S, driving into oncoming traffic before ditching the bike behind a barn.
Industrial Break-in: Tucker was later spotted by a worker inside the Befesa Zinc Metal facility. Despite a building search by deputies, he managed to elude officers by crossing railroad tracks and fleeing south.
Truck and Tractor: The suspect then stole a truck pulling a trailer with a tractor on it. This led to a multi-county pursuit into South Carolina involving Spartanburg and Cherokee County agencies. Tucker eventually crashed the truck in a field on Griffin Road and escaped on foot once more.
Final Theft & Capture: The spree continued in Cowpens, SC, where Tucker stole a final vehicle (believed to contain a firearm). The pursuit circled back into Rutherford and then Polk County. After another successful stop-stick deployment, Tucker was finally captured following a foot chase.
Charges and Arrest Details
After being medically cleared at Rutherford Regional Hospital, Tucker was booked on a long list of charges, with more pending from neighboring jurisdictions.
Current Primary Charges:
5 Counts: Felony Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle
3 Counts: Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
1 Count: Felony Larceny of Motor Vehicle
DWI, Reckless Driving, and Resisting a Public Officer
A Collaborative Effort
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office credited the successful arrest to the seamless coordination between the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and Cherokee County authorities.
"The apprehension outlines the dedicated interagency and multi-jurisdictional work that takes place," the Sheriff's Office stated, thanking the community for providing tips that helped track the suspect’s movements throughout the day.
*Suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.