4/5/23 Anderson County, SC – Man In Stolen Car Crashes Into Tractor Trailer – Steals Anderson County Deputy’s Car – Long Chase – Damages Multiple Police Cars During Chase – Crashes And Runs – K9 Tracked Him Down – Arrested

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating after a suspect stole a deputy’s patrol car during a chase along Interstate 85 on Wednesday night.

The situation began when South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers began chasing a vehicle in Powdersville. The pursuit continued onto I-85 South and troopers requested assistance from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

According to deputies, both agencies chased the vehicle until the suspect, 23-year-old Theodore Montejo, eventually crashed into an 18-wheeler. A deputy and K-9 Echo arrived on scene and when they exited the vehicle, officials said Montejo got inside the vehicle from the other side.

The suspect damaged a gate at Lake Hartwell State Park with the stolen vehicle, according to deputies.

The chase continued again on I-85. Multiple deputies pursuing Montejo reportedly tried to run him off the road and were involved in collisions. According to arrest warrants, Montejo rammed another patrol car with the stolen car before he crashed again near mile marker 1 in Oconee County and ran away on foot.

Deputies stated that a K-9 officer eventually located Montejo in the woods, and law enforcement took them into custody. He received medical treatment for a dog bite before being booked into the Anderson County Detention Center.

The sheriff’s office said the deputy’s weapons were locked in the trunk of his vehicle and Montejo did not try to access them.

Deputies said at least one deputy was also injured and taken to the hospital following this incident. He was released later Wednesday night.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office charged Montejo with grand larceny and two counts of failure to stop for blue lights. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office charged him with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and leaving the scene of an accident.

He appeared in bond court on Thursday night. His bond was set at $45,000.