Two Georgia residents are currently residing in the Cherokee County Detention Center after an incident that led to their arrest on Thursday.

According to Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship – a local business owner contacted Centre PD Chief Investigator Randy Mayorga – after witnessing, what he described as  “suspicious activity” being displayed by a male subject.

Based upon the concern expressed by the owner Investigator Mayorga followed up at that business where probable cause was developed to conduct a traffic stop.

Centre Police Department Investigator Will Clark was also present during that stop – the female driver was identified as Chelsi Nation of a Cartersville, Georgia address – meanwhile, the male passenger (who appeared to have no identification on him) was asked to step out of the vehicle and speak with Investigator Clark. 

During a license and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check the subject, later ID’d as James Colby Ray of Rome, Georgia attempted to flee on foot toward the backside of Tractor Supply on the West Chesnut Bypass however he was quickly apprehended by Mayorga and Clark, and at that point they found Ray to be in possession of narcotics.

During the commotion, Nation left the vehicle and walked into a store where she was soon found in the women’s restroom.  Following her arrest additional narcotics were discovered in the vehicle and a firearm was found in the floorboard of where Ray had been sitting.  It was quickly determined that the firearm had been reported stolen in Rome. 

A call to Floyd County Police Department Investigator Amy Nails, revealed that James Colby Ray was wanted in Georgia – and she informed Chief Investigator Mayorga that Ray had been “on the run.”

A search warrant was obtained and executed on the vehicle where more items, which were suspected stolen, were found and seized.

During the follow up interview, it was brought to light that Ray had been involved in numerous felony theft related offenses to include one posted on a facebook page that included several other firearm thefts.

James Colby Ray, 26, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm, Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Attempting to Elude – and Criminal Littering; and Chelsi Rena Nation, age 27, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree.

The investigation into the matter is on-going.