LCSO: Man had IED in stolen car

Published 12:37 pm Thursday, November 1, 2018

A man who set a hostage’s home on fire after stealing a vehicle and exchanging gunfire with deputies now faces additional charges related to the incident, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.

Ronnie Tyler Gwynn Parker, 25, of County Line Road, Leighton, was spotted in a stolen vehicle around 6:25 a.m. Oct. 21 but led LCSO deputies on a pursuit instead of stopping. During the chase, Parker fired at the five pursuing deputies and rammed a patrol vehicle before escaping, according to Public Information Officer Stephen Young.

Young said Parker’s girlfriend was being held against her will in the vehicle, which ended up abandoned in a field near the intersection of Alabama 127 and Sewell Road, just north of Athens. Investigators found a device in the front seat that was later determined to be a homemade improvised explosive device.

Parker has since been charged with possession of a destructive device/weapon intended to cause harm, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, and attempting to elude by any means. Young said the criminal mischief charges relate to the damaged patrol vehicle and a private fence.

These charges are in addition to five counts of attempted murder, first-degree theft, shooting into an occupied vehicle, two counts first-degree kidnapping and first-degree arson. The kidnapping and arson charges are tied to events after the chase. Parker set fire to a home with he, his girlfriend and an elderly hostage inside.

Parker remains in the Limestone County Jail with bail now set at $735,000.