A man who was seen driving a stolen vehicle was arrested Monday afternoon after a vehicle and foot chase in Clarkesville.
Habersham County Public Information Officer Rob Moore said Quinton Lee Batson, 30 was seen at around 1:55 p.m. driving a green 1997 Ford Ranger extended cab pickup that had been reported stolen from the Cornelia area.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Seeley saw the vehicle on Ga. 197 South near the Dollar General store outside Clarkesville.
Steely notified units he observed the truck but was not attempting to pull it over until more units were in the area.
The vehicle drove down Double Bridge Road allegedly driving recklessly, running the stop sign at Windy Ridge Drive and driving toward Ga. 365.
Batson passed a vehicle in a no-passing zone near Northridge Drive and Steely attempted to stop the truck.
The driver allegedly failed to yield and turned left onto Ansley Road, failed to stop at the stop sign at Ga. 197 South and was almost hit by another vehicle.
Batson turned left on Ga. 197 and immediately turned right on Hazel Creek Road with Seeley and a sheriff’s office traffic unit pursuing him.
Deputies tried to get into position to conduct a PIT maneuver, Batson slammed on the brakes then accelerated and attempted to turn left onto Rudeseal Road but traveled across the intersection into a ditch.
Batson fled on foot but was taken into custody at around 2:04 p.m. after being tased near a home on Rudeseal Road.
Batson is charged by Habersham County Sheriff’s Office investigators with theft by taking motor vehicle, theft by taking felony fleeing and possession of a controlled substance.
Two gas cans taken from properties on J Warren Road near Cornelia around noon Monday were found in the back of the truck after the pursuit and were returned to the owner.
He also faces charges from the Georgia State Patrol including driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, driving on wrong side of the road, driving while license suspended, two counts of stop sign violations, passing in a no passing zone, speeding, reckless driving, failure to use turn signal, improper turn, following too closely, failure to exercise due care, littering and improper stopping.
“We appreciate the public’s help spreading our lookout on social media and the media’s help with that as well,” said Sheriff Joey Terrell.
Batson was taken to the Habersham County Detention Center for booking.
Original story posted Monday, Apr. 1 at 2 p.m.:
The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect seen driving a truck that was reported stolen.
The green 1997 Ford Ranger extended-cab pickup truck with a North Carolina tag reading VAH 8522 was last seen around noon Monday on J Warren Road near Cornelia, Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell shared in a facebook post.
The suspect is described as a male wearing a gray hoodie and camo pants and possibly bright red shoes.
The man is believed to be involved in several thefts, especially of gas cans. The truck was reported stolen Sunday night from the Demorest area, but the most recent theft possibly involving the suspect occurred just before noon Monday.
Anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1. Anyone with information about the man involved is asked to call the department’s non-emergency dispatch number at (706) 778-3911.
