A man wanted for murder in Columbus, Georgia, was apprehended in Banks County on Monday, April 28, following a brief police pursuit on Interstate 85.
According to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for 26-year-old Luke Mercardante, of Covington, before a deputy spotted the suspect’s vehicle traveling southbound on I-85 between mile markers 154 and 149 and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Mercardante allegedly refused to stop, leading authorities on a short chase. Police say he exited the interstate at mile marker 149, attempted to reenter, but lost control of the vehicle and crashed on the entrance ramp.
Deputies then took Mercardante into custody without further incident. He was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital before being transported to the Banks County Detention Center.
Victim found stabbed to death in Columbus
Investigators confirmed Mercardante was in an on-and-off-again relationship with murder victim Abigail Cadoura, according to WRBL-TV. The 22-year-old Cadoura was found stabbed to death inside her Columbus apartment on the evening of April 28 after police were called to conduct a welfare check on her because she had not been answering phone calls and had missed plans with family.
She was also known to drive a white SUV, which was located traveling North on I-85.
In addition to the murder charge from Columbus, Mercardante now faces local charges related to the pursuit and crash. He is currently being held pending extradition and further legal proceedings.
