Escapee who threatened to enter homes in western NC may have fled back to Tennessee

The threat of being preyed upon by a jail escapee from Tennessee has passed in North Carolina’s Yancey County, but the suspect remains at large, according to an update from the Yancey County Sheriffs’ Office.

Authorities had warned people in western Yancey County to lock their doors and stash their car keys away as the search continued for the escapee.

“We have received credible information that the suspect we have been searching for is no longer in our county,” the sheriff’s office posted late Thursday. “Subject has probably returned to Tennessee.”

The escapee was identified as Christopher Saults by WLOS. The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office posted his mugshot on Facebook with few details about why he is considered a threat.

“This suspect fled from Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office into Yancey County earlier this evening,” the department posted late on New Year’s Day.

“Make sure vehicle keys are secured and home doors are locked,” the department posted.

Yancey County is in Western North Carolina, roughly 135 miles northwest of Charlotte.

It is believed the greatest threat of running into the suspect is in the area of U.S. 19 West, near the Tennessee state line, county officials said.

Saults “has several car thefts and drug charges from the Johnson City Police Department” in east Tennessee, WLOS reported.

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 8:43 AM.