Cullman Co. manhunt for standoff suspect

A manhunt is now underway for 28-year-old Christopher Laye in connection to a standoff in Cullman County yesterday afternoon. It’s the latest in a bizarre string of events that state troopers say began yesterday morning when Laye allegedly stole a Sumiton police car around 5 a.m.

Investigators say Laye later abandoned that car, teamed up with another suspect, and stole a Jeep.

Cullman Police stopped that Jeep and arrested the second suspect, who was driving at the time. That’s when officials say Laye hopped in the driver’s seat and took off again.  He later abandoned the Jeep and ran into a home on Highway 91 in Cullman County.

After several hours, officials realized Laye wasn’t in the home and began searching for him.

Sumiton Police, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Department, the state Department of Corrections, and State Troopers are among the agencies working this case. If you have any information about Laye’s whereabouts, you are asked to call police.

Stay with NBC13 HD and NBC13.com for updates as they become available.