Two people have been arrested after Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies spotted a stolen vehicle driving on Bonny Oaks Drive on Thursday and followed it into Georgia.
Deputies attempted to slowly route additional patrol units behind the vehicle in order to make a safe felony stop on Highway 153, near the Shallowford Road exit, it was stated.
Once deputies were in place, they attempted to stop the vehicle at which time the driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued which would eventually lead deputies as far as Whitfield County.
As deputies pursued the vehicle into Georgia, other law enforcement agencies joined in, including the Georgia State Patrol.
Georgia State troopers attempted to stop the vehicle approximately 15 miles into Georgia with spike strips without success. While in continued pursuit, Georgia state troopers once again tried to stop the vehicle this time pitting the vehicle and causing it to wreck.
After the suspect vehicle wrecked, both occupants got out and fled from law enforcement. The driver, a black male, ran towards a hilly area on the side of the freeway where he was tackled by law enforcement while attempting to pull a firearm from his belt line. He was quickly and safely apprehended by HCSO deputies without incident, despite attempting to draw a firearm on law enforcement personnel. The occupant, a white female, exited the car and fled from law enforcement where she was caught in the freeway median.
The driver of the vehicle, Michael Stroud, and the passenger, Ashley Haynes, were taken into custody. The driver faces numerous charges in Georgia. Once they are officially charged in Georgia, HCSO deputies will swear out warrants and they will be extradited back to Hamilton County. The driver of the vehicle will be charged in Hamilton County on possession of a stolen vehicle/property, felony reckless endangerment, and felony evading.
It is unclear at this time what charges will be brought against Ms. Haynes in Georgia or Hamilton County in reference to her participation in this event. Additional charges may be forthcoming.