The Virginia State Police is working with a request from the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office to be on the look-out for a robbery suspect vehicle which was involved in a theft of lottery tickets at a gas station at exit 162 in Botetourt County.
A release from the Virginia State Police (VSP) stated that with little initial information on the suspect vehicle, a trooper attempted to stop a vehicle closely matching the initial description. When the emergency lights were activated, the vehicle allegedly refused to stop and sped away. The pursuit continued into Craig County where the vehicle crashed. The driver allegedly fled the scene on foot, and has remained at large since the crash. Further investigation has found that this was not the vehicle suspected in the theft.
Police have identified the driver as Shawn Michael Tolbert, 42, Burkville, Va. Tolbert is described as a white man, 5- feet, 10-inches tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is believed to have changed clothes and is living in the woods trying to elude police.
Tolbert is believed to be armed, and may be dangerous if threatened, the release alleged.
He is wanted on multiple charges at this point, which include both state and local charges.
Charges from the Virginia State Police are three counts each felony elude police and reckless driving.
Additional charges placed by Craig County Sheriff’s Office are two counts of felony assault on a police officer and one count each criminal trespass, obstruction and false identification.
Multiple agencies are participating in the search for Tolbert.
If Tolbert is located, authorities are asking the public to use extreme caution and to contact law enforcement.
