Leads Officers On Chase Over Two TN Towns
Police say that before 16-year-old Nathan Wyatt Frost could
steal the airplane he allegedly took on an unauthorized joyride
last week, he first had to get to the airport. So he stole a feed
truck.
Frost was taken into custody early Wednesday morning at a
Murfreesboro, TN fast food restaurant after leading authorities on
a wild, and awe-inspiring, joyride... that may have all been over a
girl.
Police say the incident began when Frost allegedly stole the
feed truck, and drove to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport Tuesday
night. He then broke into a PA-28 Cherokee (file photo of
type, above) owned by one Hank Williamson, and took off in the
pilfered Piper en route to mayhem.
Frost proceeded to buzz houses in Eagleville before flying back
to Shelbyville Airport. Frost took right off again, though, when he
saw police officers approaching -- and he headed back over
town.
Eagleville Police Deputy Scott Daniel says Frost may have been
prompted to take the plane and buzz homes after an argument with
another youth over Frost's girlfriend. The Murfreesboro Daily News
Journal reports her home was one of those Frost flew over.
The young pilot also buzzed officers on the highway, who were
responding to angry homeowners calling to complain about the
airplane noise. Frost was even so kind as to put on a show for
them.
He flew "right over the top of us," Daniel said, adding Frost
guided the plane in circles and side angles, swooping up and down
and towards the officers.
"The kid was a good
pilot," Daniel added, comparing Frost's aerial feats to an air
show.
As he again approached Shelbyville, once more Frost found police
waiting for him -- so he diverted to Murfreesboro, about 20 n.m.
south. He once again landed the aircraft without incident -- and
then bolted the scene.
Police found the budding air show pilot a short time later, at a
local Jack-In-The-Box fast food restaurant -- where police
apprehended him in the parking lot.
"He was jacked out of the box," Murfreesboro Detective Major
Chuck Thomas punned to the paper.
Frost is now cooling his jets in juvie, after being charged with
theft and endangering the lives of most of the residents of central
Tennessee. For what it's worth, however, Frost -- who had
apparently flown an airplane before, and may have even soloed --
took excellent care of the aircraft he stole.
"It's in good shape, no harm," owner Williamson said. The
aircraft was temporarily impounded by the FAA for its investigation
into the matter.
"We were glad [Frost] didn't get hurt or hurt anybody," added
Thomas. "From what everybody said, he was a skilled pilot. He kept
control."
No word on how Frost's girlfriend took the news.