EAST POINT, Ga. — A wild police chase in East Point that was caught on video ended with the arrest of a suspect facing multiple felony warrants on Monday, the Georgia State Patrol said. East Point Police later revealed that a 19-year-old -- one of the city's "most wanted" -- was apprehended following the pursuit.
The social media accounts of Georgia Followers posted video, which showed GSP troopers and East Point police cruisers chasing a white SUV through a parking lot. The video shows a trooper ending the chase with a PIT maneuver that sends the SUV spiraling, with the vehicle then crashing into a pole. Several GSP and East Point Police cruisers, as well as unmarked law enforcement vehicles, appeared to be involved in the chase.
GSP said the SUV involved had been stolen. In a statement, GSP said the chase ended at a shopping center around Washington Road and Harris Drive.
Tuesday, East Point Police shared a video on social media along with information that sheds more light on what happened. They said the teen was being investigated by their police department and several jurisdictions, including College Park, Hapeville, Gwinnett County, South Fulton and other agencies.
They said authorities were trying to serve the 19-year-old arrest warrants when he allegedly took off in the stolen Jeep. East Point Police claim the driver went through a backyard, down several streets, and damaged several cars along the way during the pursuit. Authorities also attempted several PIT maneuvers before the series of events ended.
"The East Point Police Department would like to thank The Georgia State Patrol for their assistance in apprehending one of East Point’s Most Wanted," the police department said in a social media post.
The 19-year-old faces several charges, including theft by taking, theft by receiving stolen property, fleeing, and financial transaction card fraud. East Point Police said the teen faces additional charges in other jurisdictions.
Below is the statement GSP released after the chase:
On January 2, 2023 Troopers of the Crime Suppression Unit assisted East Point PD with the apprehension of a subject with multiple felony warrants driving a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee. The pursuit continued through surface streets to Washington Road near Harris Drive where the suspect drove into another parking lot and a series of contacts were made with the vehicle, but the driver forced their way out and continued to flee. Troopers performed a final PIT sending the Jeep into a telephone pole and disabling it. A felony stop was conducted, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.