Posted: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 01:28 PM - 9,652 Readers

By: Austin-American Statesman

Fugitive shoots self in standoff

A Leander man who police say was wanted in connection with several high-end jewelry and watch thefts in Austin and Bee Cave pulled out a handgun and fatally shot himself as officers approached him in a motel parking lot in Knoxville, Tenn.

Timothy Liess, 44, died outside the Extended StayAmerica motel about midnight Monday, Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk told The Knoxville News Sentinel.

Three officers spotted Liess in the motel parking lot and ordered him to get down on his knees, DeBusk said. Liess complied, then pulled a handgun from a pocket and killed himself, DeBusk said.

Numerous felony theft warrants had been issued for Liess. Police said they think he had been selling stolen items on Craigslist and pawning other items across Texas and the southeastern United States. He was wanted in Knoxville in connection with writing a worthless check, officials said.