Naked Suspect Accused in Smith County Gas Station Case

A Tyler man accused of ramming vehicles and attempting to rob a gas station while naked is now in jail. The 64-year-old man from Tyler was identified as Jackie Lafayette Gitchuway and he is behind bars after Smith County deputies say he rammed multiple vehicles and tried to rob a gas station in Smith County.

According to KLTV, the incident took place on Saturday with Gitchuway eventually being arrested and sent to the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $250,000 on four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and charges of robbery, driving while intoxicated and a parole violation.

How the Incident Began

The incident began when two Smith County deputies were dispatched to a call regarding deadly conduct at the intersection of County Road 496 and County Road 492. Reports were made that a white Ford truck rammed a vehicle multiple times on CR 496 before being seen at a Texaco gas station on Highway 69.

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Deputies Confront the Suspect

While law enforcement was responding, dispatch advised the truck rammed into another vehicle while at the gas station. When deputies arrived on scene, they found a heavyset naked man attempting to grab a person at the entrance of the gas station.

The man tried to get back into his vehicle when deputies attempted to detain him; deputies were forced to go "hands-on" with the suspect to remove him from the truck.

The man initially gave a false name to law enforcement but after multiple attempts, deputies were able to identify the man as Gitchuway.

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What Witnesses Told Investigators

Deputies spoke with the store owner who said Gitchuway entered the business as if he were brandishing a gun and attempted to steal from the store.

A deputy said that Gitchuway was disoriented, confused and sweating profusely after he was arrested despite being in air conditioning. While being evaluated by paramedics, Gitchuway admitted to consuming a half gram of methamphetamine.

At the hospital Gitchuway admitted to wrapping his hand like he had a gun while attempting to steal a fountain drink and cigarettes from the gas station.

If convicted, Gitchuway could face two to 20 years in prison per count and a fine of up to $10,000.