Covington, Tenn. — A dramatic police chase through Downtown Covington ended with two men behind bars after one suspect hid disguised as a barbershop customer while fleeing officers. The incident unfolded Thursday when a Covington police officer stopped a vehicle for a broken brake light near Highway 51 and Church Street.
During the traffic stop, the passenger exited the vehicle armed with a rifle and ran down West Pleasant Street. In a surprising move, police say the man entered the 1776 Barbershop Parlor and sat in a barber chair, pretending to wait for a haircut as officers quickly surrounded the shop.
Damian Lattimore, 24, was arrested on the scene. Authorities charged him with evading arrest, tampering with evidence, and reckless endangerment. The rifle, described by police as pink, was later recovered nearby in the grass close to the water treatment facility.
Meanwhile, the driver fled the scene in the vehicle but was tracked down and arrested by Ripley Police on Skyline Drive. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Vertavious Barbee. He faces charges of evading arrest and violation of light law, with bond set at $15,000.
This intense chase highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to curb dangerous behavior on Tennessee roads. Police say quick action and coordination between departments led to the swift capture of both suspects.
Authorities confirmed both men are currently in custody awaiting further legal proceedings. A bond hearing for Lattimore is expected soon.
The bizarre nature of Lattimore’s attempt to evade arrest underlines the risks officers face and the lengths some suspects go to avoid capture. For residents and travelers in California and across the U.S., this incident underscores the unpredictable nature of police encounters even in routine traffic stops.
The Covington Police Department continues to urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward and remain vigilant in public safety.
Stay tuned to The California Herald for updates on this developing story and other urgent public safety news nationwide.
