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JONESBOROUGH – Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies apprehended Jeffrey Atwood, 55, of Jonesborough, after a brief standoff on Highway 11-E on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Sheriff Keith Sexton, deputies responded to a 911 call regarding an assault on a taxi driver. The driver pulled into a parking lot at a business in the 3900 block of 11-E and called 911 due to his passenger, identified as Atwood, punching him. WCSO deputies and one Jonesborough Police Officer arrived on scene moments after Atwood slid into the driver’s seat. A brief standoff occurred before Atwood fled in an aggressive manner onto 11-E towards Jonesborough.

Deputies pursued the stolen taxi, which became caught in traffic at a red light. Officers were able to remove Atwood from the taxi and take him into custody. The driver of the taxi was unharmed. Atwood was transported by emergency medical services for minor injuries, but is now in custody.

Atwood is now in the Washington County Detention Center. He is charged with aggravated assault, assault, evading arrest, theft of property (motor vehicle) and driving on a suspended license. His bond is set at $47,000 and he will appear in court at 1:30 p.m., April 19.