Car crashes on airport property after chase through Cayce

Cayce, SC (Paul Kirby) - Officers from the Cayce Department of Public Safety attempted to conduct a traffic stop this morning near Airport Boulevard and I-26. When officers tried to pull over the stolen blue pickup that was pulling a trailer, the driver refused to stop and instead initiated a chase.

According to Cayce DPS Chief Byron Snelgrove, the suspect, James R. Metze increased his speed to evade the pursuing officers. Metze lead the officers on a chase that covered more than 5 miles before eventually crashing the stolen truck he was driving into a utility pole and a fence on Columbia Airport property.

At this point, Metze bailed out of the crashed truck and fled on foot across the tarmac of the airport. He ran an additional ¼ mile on foot before realizing that he was completely fenced in. Additional police units had established a perimeter around the property and were waiting outside the fence for him for him to tire himself out. Once the suspect finally realized the hopelessness of his situation, he decided to lie down on the ground, wait to be handcuffed, and give himself up.

Metze was later transported to a local hospital for treatment for minor injuries received during the crash. He was then transported to LCDC where he is awaiting a bond hearing.

Metze has been charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light, DUS 5th, and as a habitual offender. He may also be facing charges for his intrusion onto the restricted space at the airport by Airport Public Safety.