According to Cedar Bluff Police Chief Jeremy Stepps – on Wednesday (September 20th) – a Cedar Bluff Police Officer was on a traffic stop on U.S. Alabama Highway 68 East, when a passing vehicle failed to move over, almost striking the officer.
The officer had already completed his traffic stop and was returning to his patrol vehicle when the incident occurred.
The Cedar Bluff Officer initiated a traffic stop for the “Move Over” Violation and while making contact with the vehicle and occupants, the officer observed an AR-15 rifle laying in the backseat and the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The passenger was asked to step out of the vehicle and speak with the officer. While speaking with the officer the driver sped away, resulting in a pursuit.
The chase continued on U.S. Alabama Highway 68 East and crossed into the State of Georgia. Cherokee County 9-1-1 contacted authorities in Chattooga County, Georgia and advised them of the vehicle pursuit. During that chase the driver was observed throwing illegal narcotics out the windows of the vehicle, with drugs being recovered in Georgia, and also a gun being recovered here in Alabama.
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office Deputies set up spike strips in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The first attempt, the driver was able to avoid the spike strips and continued to flee and then a second set of spike strips were set up in a separate location. As the driver swerved to miss those strips he lost control of the vehicle resulting in a collision into the parking lot of the Circle K convenience store. The driver then attempted to get out of the vehicle and flee on foot but he was quickly taken into custody. Per policy that suspect was taken to an area hospital to be checked for injuries.
Cedar Bluff Police Chief Stepps stated “I would like to thank the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
Additional information will be shared as its made available.