Armed Man High On Meth Crashes Stolen Car In Downtown Franklin: Police

FRANKLIN, TN — High on meth and armed with two knives and a handgun, a 27-year-old Alabama man crashed a stolen car into a tree and telephone pole in downtown Franklin Sunday night, according to police.

Franklin Police responded to a crash at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and found an unoccupied car crashed into a tree and a "demolished telephone pole" nearby. Bystanders described the driver and pointed officers in the direction in which he'd fled.

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Soon thereafter, police caught up to Joshua Dewayne Benefield, 27, of Heflin, Ala. Benefield was armed with two knives when he was apprehended and investigators believe he was high on methamphetamine. A handgun was found inside the car, according to a police report.

Benefield is charged with DUI, evading arrest, failure to report a crash and reckless driving. Further charges are expected. Benefield is wanted on criminal charges in two other jurisdictions.

Image via Franklin Police