Steven Ratledge
The Chattanooga Police Department has arrested a Chattanooga firefighter in connection with a robbery on Sunday morning.
The firefighter has been identified as Steven Kyle Ratledge. Firefighter Ratledge was assigned to Station 19 in Hixson and has been with the department for approximately 3 1/2 years.
Firefighter Ratledge has been placed on leave without pay as the investigation continues.
Chattanooga Police responded to a convenience store at the 5400 block of Hixson Pike on the report of a robbery.
The suspect was described as a white male with a brown hoodie and a blue bandana.
Shortly after the robbery, Chattanooga Police were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident in the 300 block of northbound Highway 153. The vehicle matched the description of the one used by the robbery suspect.
Further investigation revealed sufficient probable cause to detain the driver of the vehicle for the robbery, police said.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported from the scene of the accident to a local hospital for treatment by Chattanooga Police.
He was transported from the hospital to the Hamilton County Jail where he was charged with aggravated robbery.