A man suspected of killing a Tennessee deputy this week was captured Friday, the state’s investigative bureau said.
June 1 (UPI) — A man suspected of killing a Tennessee deputy this week was captured Friday, the state’s investigative bureau said.
Steve Wiggins was identified as a person of interest in the death of Sgt. Daniel Baker, who was found dead Wednesday in his car in a wooded area after he failed to report while checking a suspicious vehicle.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Dereck Stewart said a trooper spotted Wiggins in Hickman County, Tenn., Friday after he’d noticed tattoos that matched the suspect description. Wiggins was arrested without incident, he said.
« He stopped and approached the individual. It’s at that point in time when he withdrew his weapon and ordered the suspect to get on the ground, » Stewart said.
Stewart said Wiggins likely hid in the woods for two days. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
« This is not closure for us, » Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe Sherriff said.
A statement from Baker’s wife, Lisa, said, « there are no words to describe the level of devastation. »
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said a video initially helped them identify Wiggins as a suspect.
A woman, Erika Castro-Miles, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to Baker’s death.
An affidavit said she told police she watched as Wiggins shot the 32-year-old deputy. Officials said she fled the scene and police later found her hiding under a nearby house.
The day before Baker’s death, Wiggins was charged with aggravated assault, accused of slapping and pulling Castro-Miles’ hair and threatening her with a gun.
