Chase through Downtown Franklin ends in arrest

(Franklin/Times-Journal) — A man was arrested Friday morning after a very short chase though downtown Franklin.

Immediately after leaving Heard County court for previous charges of no insurance and operating a vehicle without registration, Bruce David Popphan, age 52, was driving a white 1995 Nissan Pathfinder when Officer Stewart of the Franklin Police Department performed a traffic stop near the Piggly Wiggly.

Bruce David Popphan (Photo: FPD/HCSO)

Popphan was issued a citation for driving with expired license by Officer Stewart at around 11:00 AM.

When Officer Stewart advised Popphan to call someone to pick up his vehicle, Popphan proceeded to enter the Nissan Pathfinder and flee the scene.

According to eye witnesses, Popphan led Franklin Police on a chase down Park Avenue and on to Main Street before being apprehended by Officer Stewart near Franklin City Hall on the downtown square.

According to a report by Franklin Police Chief Kevin Hannah, no one was injured in the chase.

Bruce David Popphan was charged with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer, Driving While License Expired, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, Passing in a No Passing Zone, Too Fast for Conditions, Failure to Stop at Stop Sign, Failure to use Turn Signal, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Reckless Driving.

This was not the first time Popphan has made headlines in the downtown area.

In April of 2017, Popphan burned several flags honoring the U.S. Armed Forces in downtown Franklin at the Veterans Memorial.

He was charged at that time with three felonies including Criminal Damage to Property (2nd Degree), Arson, and Criminal Interference with Government Property as well as two misdemeanor charges of Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.