Missing Andover teen leads VA police on high speed chase

ANDOVER, Conn. (WTNH) - News 8 has learned new details into the apprehension of Andover teen James Baver, who went missing following a fire at his home Monday.

What started with a house fire in Andover has become, in may respects, much more dramatic. It was three days ago when Andover fire crews were called to 62 School Road. One woman was taken to the hospital.

Not long after, a "silver alert" was issued for 16 year old James Baver.  State Police have characterized the fire as "suspicious" and want to speak to him about the incident.

According to law enforcement officials in southwest Virginia, 16-year-old Baver was spotted in a parking area off I-81 in Wythe County. A sheriffs deputy noticed a 2005 Chevy Uplander with CT plates parked there.

The deputy ran the plates and discovered that there was a search on for the car and the teen.

According to law enforcement officials, the deputy asked Baver to step out of the vehicle, but he refused. The deputy then knocked on the window with a baton and again told Baver to step out. Baver then put the vehicle in drive and sped off.

Baver went down I-81 and onto Route 11.

Officials said the pursuit got up to speeds of 100 miles per hour. At one point law enforcement officials had to alert local schools about the pursuit, as schools was getting out and parents would be picking up there children.

No one was hurt.

Officials said Baver got back on I-81 and at one point tried to take the Chevy into the median, but got stuck in the mud. Police then stopped, and Baver jumped out of the vehicle with no shoes on and took off running.

Baver was then apprehended by Smyth County deputies. He is currently in custody of Wythe County officials.

News 8 spoke with one neighbor across the street who says James is a nice young man, and had an interest in sports, specifically, wrestling, and football.

He is facing charges in Virginia and will presumably be extradited to Connecticut.