The third and final suspect who fled from a police chase in Clarkesville Wednesday afternoon is now in custody. Investigators say he was captured in a traffic stop on GA 365 near Duncan Bridge Road.
The manhunt ended when officers got a tip that the suspect left Clarkesville in a white sedan. Deputies pulled him over in a traffic stop outside Cornelia approximately 15 minutes later. It’s unclear the relationship of the suspect to the vehicle’s driver.
According to Habersham County deputies, two other suspects were apprehended earlier in the day in Wilbanks Lumber Yard in Clarkesville. All three fled on foot when the vehicle they were in was disabled while a deputy chased them.
It started with a stolen credit card
The Wednesday afternoon incident began at the Dairy Queen on Historic US 441 in Clarkesville after the suspects allegedly attempted to use a stolen credit card at the fast food chain.
According to officials on the scene, the credit card company alerted authorities and a Habersham County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the restaurant. As she approached, the suspects reportedly fled.
A chase ensued. According to authorities, the fleeing vehicle was disabled when it struck the curb in front of the BP gas station near McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts on Washington Street in Clarkesville.
Possible ties to Florida theft ring
Officials tell Now Habersham that the stolen credit card may be tied to a string of auto break-ins in the area. The suspects are all from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and may be involved with a theft ring from that state.
K9 units from Banks County, White County, and Baldwin, local law enforcement, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and State Patrol assisted in the search.
