Deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office corralled two vehicles on Nov. 1 and 2 whose drivers were trying to get away from officers in pursuit.
Sheriff Barry Babb said the first incident occurred on Nov. 1 at 9:23 p.m. when a deputy turned on the blue lights to stop a 2011 silver Chevrolet Aveo occupied by three individuals on Ga. Highway 138 near the Fayette/Clayton County line.
Babb said the vehicle fled from the officer onto Lake Ridge Parkway in Clayton County, then left the roadway and struck an embankment. The vehicle then reversed its course striking the then-stopped pursuit deputy’s vehicle before proceeding on Lake Ridge Parkway.
“The deputy was exiting her vehicle at the time of the collision to initiate an arrest. The deputy continued the pursuit into Garden Lake Apartments where the driver fled on foot as the deputy and another deputy back-up unit detained the two other occupants,” Babb said. “With assistance from Clayton County Police and Sheriff’s Office and a Fayetteville Police K-9 unit, the driver was located a short time later and taken into custody.”
Justin Parks, 24, of Riverdale, was charged with defective tail light, fleeing or attempting to elude, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, open container, aggravated assault and convicted felon in possession of a firearm, said Babb.
A passenger, Placido Espinoza, 24, of Eatonton, was also arrested and charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm, said Babb.
Babb said the third passenger was released at the scene with no charges.
The second incident occurred on Nov. 2 at 9:09 a.m. when a theft in progress call was received pertaining to a utility trailer carrying two lawn mowers from Benjamin Circle off Kenwood Road in north Fayette.
Babb said a deputy on patrol on Westbridge Road located the vehicle matching the description occupied only by a driver leaving the county in the direction of Union City by way of Hwy. 138.
The deputy followed and waited for a back-up deputy before initiating a traffic stop,” said Babb. “When the deputies attempted a traffic stop the vehicle fled north on I-85. The vehicle exited onto Flat Shoals Road only to re-enter onto I-85 where the driver abandoned the moving vehicle against the center wall and fled on foot across the southbound lanes of the interstate. The runaway vehicle came to rest safely on the side of the interstate. Deputies pursued the suspect on foot into the BP Station at 3805 Flat Shoals Road where the suspect hid in the restroom.”
Babb said Markus Johnson 32, of Riverdale, was taken into custody without further incident and was charged with driving without a valid license, drug-related objects, theft by taking, possession of tools during the commission of a crime and criminal trespass.
Babb said Johnson had outstanding warrants for traffic charges in Clayton County and violation of parole and felony theft in Spalding County. Johnson may also be involved in similar thefts in Union City, said Babb.
“Each pursuit we engage in has to be evaluated for safety,”Babb said. “In both of these cases the perpetrators did not reach high speeds and were short-lived. Traffic, especially pedestrians, was not a factor. The Johnson pursuit was initiated in Fulton County hence our lack of being able to charge him with traffic charges. The deputies did a great job of being vigilant and safe for themselves and those around them. Also, we appreciate the help from the Clayton Police Dept., Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Dept. and the Union City Police Dept. We really appreciate the teamwork we have in this area.”
