A Cleveland man is in custody, charged with murder in last week’s shooting death of a White County man. 27-year old Frederick Sauder was arrested in Athens early this morning at the Travel Inn on West Broad Street after a short standoff with police.
The White County Sheriff’s Office along with the GBI and U.S. Marshall’s Office had been actively searching for him since the August 10th death of Wayne Alexander. The 66-year old Alexander’s body was discovered last Wednesday evening at his home on Sam Craven Road in Cleveland. Officials posted a nationwide lookout for Sauder late last week.
Sauder, who lived on Washboard Road east of Cleveland, was taken into custody at 2:26 a.m. by the Athens-Clarke County SWAT team.
Athens-Clarke Police were tipped off Sauder was heading to Athens by the Winder Police Department after an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) detected his vehicle on the Atlanta Highway. According to a statement issued by AACPD Chief Scott Freeman, police were also informed that Sauder was carrying a rifle.
Patrol officers in Athens found Sauder’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Travel Inn at 898 West Broad Street. Officers established a perimeter around the hotel and evacuated guests who were staying in nearby hotel rooms. According to Freeman’s statement, “Sauder was uncooperative with negotiators who attempted to talk him out of his room. A distraction device and chemical munitions were used to gain compliance and Sauder was taken into custody without further incident.”
Sauder was turned over to the White County Sheriff’s Office. Officials aren’t releasing any information at this time about a possible motive for the crime. White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram told reporters investigators are “unsure at this point” if the victim knew Sauder.
Frederick Sauder is charged with felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to wrwh.com, Ingram says the case remains under investigation and more arrests may be made.
