Authorities Sort Through Details Of Roanoke Rapids Truck Theft

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — Authorities in Roanoke Rapids are trying to sort through the details after someone stole a Department of Transportation dump truck and took down some power lines.

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 DOT headquarters 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 to kill, because Snyder allegedly tried to run over a police officer. Snyder also is charged with injury to personal property, hit and run and speeding to elude arrest.