The
Loudon County Sheriff's Department is warning south Loudon County
residents to be on the lookout for a man wanted in three states for
kidnapping, bank robbery, and a home invasion. Authorities believe
Christopher Ellis may be hiding out in some nearby woods. On Friday, police found the stolen truck that Ellis was last seen driving. The 1978 Chevrolet Scottsdale pickup truck was discovered off Bat Creek Road near the Loudon-Monroe County Line on Friday morning. That's a rural area, not far from Tellico Village.
Loudon County deputies and FBI agents have been scouring the area, looking for any sign of Ellis.
Authorities said Ellis kidnapped an Atlanta man last weekend and forced him to drive to Loudon County. Then he broke into a Loudon County couple's home and stole weapons and a pickup truck.
None of his victims have been injured, but Ellis is considered armed and dangerous.
"This individual known to be a survivor in woods for days at a time. If that's the case, we're still going to be suspecting that. Hopefully, anyone who has a sighting, we're asking them to call in, and we'll respond," Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider said.
Sheriff Guider asked that people in that area be extra vigilant for anything out of the ordinary. He said to call the police immediately if you see anything suspicious.
If you've seen him, the FBI asks that you call them at (865) 544-0751. The line is answered 24 hours a day.
You can also call Loudon County authorities at (865) 986-4823.
Truck found; home-invasion, kidnapping suspect still
on loose
News Sentinel staff
A truck reported stolen by a man sought in a Loudon
County home invasion and kidnapping/carjacking in Atlanta has been
found, the FBI said today.
The silver 1978 Chevrolet Scottsdale pickup was recovered on the Loudon
and Monroe county line after someone who saw a news report about the
truck called authorities.
Authorities believe the pickup was stolen Monday by Christopher Alan
Ellis in Loudon.
Ellis, 31, remains at large.
He allegedly robbed and bound the parents of two Loudon County sheriff's
deputies Monday, taking guns including a .30-30 rifle and ammunition.
Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider said Ellis entered the home through an
open basement window.
The FBI also is involved in the case because Ellis allegedly kidnapped a
man from Atlanta last Friday after entering the victim's home. The
victim, 25-year-old Chapman Parker, told police that Ellis claimed he
had a gun, but then grabbed a knife from Parker's kitchen and stole his
car.
Ellis allegedly forced Parker to ride with him until they got to Loudon
County, where Ellis let Parker go unharmed on a rural road. Parker drove
himself to the Loudon County Justice Center to report the abduction.
Guider said the Monday robbery occurred about a mile from where Ellis
had left Parker and the two men didn't know each other before the
alleged abduction. Ellis is from the Morgan County area and has family
there, Guider said.
Ellis is described as white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, about 175 pounds,
with brown hair, brown eyes and maybe a goatee. Anyone with information
is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 865-986-4823.