Fugitive gone missing

Lake Hartwell Radio WLHR in Lavonia, Georgia is following the story of a fugitive who went missing in Franklin County late Tuesday afternoon.  Sheriff Stevie Thomas reports that around 5:00pm, 911 received a call about a suspicious vehicle near the Echo Truck Stop off of Interstate 85.  When deputies arrived, they found a male passenger with the vehicle.  The passenger reported that the driver, identified as Timothy Chad Merck, had fled the scene.  A quick check soon determined that Merck had active warrants in Oconee County, South Carolina.  Thomas says, a manhunt ensued in the area behind the Wilco Truck Stop off of Highways 59 and 106. Thomas says, “Another deputy saw a white male fitting the description enter into the wooded area behind a Wilco truck stop.  Deputies and K-9 were on the ground in a short period time.  They followed a truck down 59 and back over towards I-85.” Deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office & K-9 Unit, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Unit were called in on the search.  Around 9:30pm, the K-9 units ended the search.  However Thomas says deputies are continuing to search the area.  Authorities are looking for Timothy Chad Merck, address unknown.  Merck is a white male with neck tattoos.  He was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.  While he could still be in the area, Thomas says it is possible Merck could have called someone to pick him.  If you believe you see this individual, Thomas says not to approach him and to call 911.