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.
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.
