A Charleston man stole a Jeep and then crashed it over a 30-foot ledge over the weekend, police say.
Matthew Adair Hedrick, 33, is charged with grand larceny, destruction of property, and transferring or receiving stolen property, according to a release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office.
The owner of the green, 2010 Jeep Wrangler noticed that it was stolen from the 5100 block of Smith Creek Road after his neighbors alerted him at about 5:15 a.m. Friday.
Deputy C.A. Boner took a report, spoke to neighbors, and watched surveillance footage. On video, Hedrick could be seen entering several vehicles, including the unlocked Jeep, then pushing the Jeep down a driveway and hitting a neighbor's vehicle in the process. Hedrick allegedly found a spare key in the Jeep's glove box and drove away on Smith Creek Road toward South Charleston.
Just after 12 p.m. on Saturday, Kanawha County Metro 911 dispatched Boner and other officers to the area of Ferrell Road in St. Albans. A friend of the Jeep's owner had called, and said he was following the stolen Jeep.
The friend followed Hedrick on Ferrell Road to Smith Creek, then onto Coal River Road into Tornado. Hedrick lost control and crashed over a ledge, falling 30 feet through several trees, according to the release. The Jeep landed in a creek and came to rest on its top.
Hedrick then got out and fled on foot, the release says. Boner arrived and began searching for him. He saw wild animals running across the top of a mountain where Hedrick was last seen running, went to that area and found some of Hedrick's clothes, according to the release. A K-9 handler and dog were then called to track Hedrick's scent.
They followed Hedrick's trail for one mile until they found him hiding beneath a bridge.
Hedrick was taken to South Central Regional Jail. Bail was set at $10,000.