Authorities Sort Through Details Of Roanoke Rapids Truck Theft

Authorities said Johnny Russell Snyder, a DOT employee, faces a variety of traffic violations, including charges stemming from the alleged theft of the truck.

"We tried to speak with him after the incident, but he did not wish to make an statement, so right now, our investigation is still continuing to see what happened," said Capt. J.K. Hinton of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

Investigators said Snyder stole a dump truck from the local DOTheadquarters in Halifax around 10 p.m. Sunday. They said Snyder drove through a fence to get the truck out of the lot.

They said Snyder then drove the truck with the dump bed up, knocking out power lines for miles.

The truck was driven to Roanoke Rapids,about 10 miles from Halifax, where the suspect ran over traffic signs, took out stoplights and hit another car before stopping.

Among the charges is assault with a deadly weapon with intent tokill, because Snyder allegedly tried to run over a police officer.Snyder also is charged with injury to personal property, hit andrun and speeding to elude arrest.