A four-hour long, multi-agency manhunt in Tallulah Falls ended without incident Thursday when officers captured the suspect inside a house on Gilbert Gate Road. 25-year old Kevin Tatum was arrested and charged with simple battery and false imprisonment following a domestic dispute at his parent’s home on state park property.
The victim’s identity and relationship to the suspect have not been confirmed.
“Today the victim of the crime made contact with the Tallulah Falls Police Department and requested assistance,” says GBI Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Williams. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation because the alleged crimes occurred on state property.
Tallulah Falls Police Chief Bill Goatcher called in three other state and local agencies to assist in the search for Kevin Tatum after he reportedly stole prescription drugs from the house and disappeared into the woods behind Tallulah Falls Middle School off of Highway 365. State agencies were involved in the search because the alleged crimes occurred on state property. There was also concern for Tatum’s safety.
Officers from the Georgia State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call. A Georgia State Patrol helicopter hovered overhead as officers combed the woods searching for Tatum. He was captured around 4:15pm. Tatum was examined by paramedics and taken into custody.
The TFS Middle School and main campus were locked down during the manhunt as a precaution.
“We took an action based on a phone call from the Sheriff of Habersham County who notified us that there was a search going on for a fugitive in the area and, so, we did a normal lockdown,” explains Tallulah Falls School President Larry Peevy. He assures parents, “At no time during the lockdown were their children here in any danger whatsoever.”
Williams says, “This was isolated. There was never anybody in danger and currently the investigation is ongoing.”
Kevin Tatum is being held in the Habersham County jail.
