Suspected Whitfield County burglar arrested after dangerous high-speed chase in Gordon County

According to a Gordon County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On Thursday, December 15th, 2022, at approximately 8:39 AM, Deputy Holley was parked stationary at the Flying J truck stop facing Hwy 136. While at this location, Deputy Holley observed a maroon in color Chevrolet Avalanche matching a discerption of a vehicle that Gordon E-911 had given a lookout for after it was involved in a burglary in Whitfield County the day prior. According to the report, Deputy Holley went to get behind the vehicle and asked dispatch for the tag that was supposed to be on the truck (RVD3338). Once Deputy Holley pulled out onto Hwy 136, he observed the vehicle pull into the Dollar General Market located at 2850 Battlefield Pkwy Resaca, Gordon County, GA. Deputy Holley pulled into the parking lot, where he was able to verify the tag was a match from the lookout. Deputy Holley advised Deputy Saylors, who was close by, that this was the vehicle. Deputy Holley blocked the exit of the parking lot with his patrol car as Deputy Holley activated his emergency lights. The suspect vehicle stopped for a moment before accelerating and driving over the curb through the grass to go around Deputy Saylors vehicle, initiating a pursuit.” Deputy Holley gave chase, with Deputy Saylors secondary in the pursuit. The pursuit traveled South on GA-3. Deputy Holley attempted a PIT maneuver on the vehicle to end the chase; however, the suspect vehicle swerved to the right, blocking Deputy Holley from doing so. The pursuit continued south at speeds over 80mph. It passed Craigtown Road. The suspect drove extremely recklessly, nearly causing a head-on crash. The suspect continued until it made an abrupt left turn into the parking lot of the Pilot truck stop located at 2111 Hwy 41. While driving recklessly through the parking lot, the suspect, later identified as Michael Rodney Johnson, 26, of Sugar Valley, GA, jumped from the vehicle and began running away as the truck continued rolling forward until it struck a Tractor trailer in the parking lot. According to the report, “Deputy Holley pursued on foot and gave Johnson commands to stop and get on the ground. Johnson then slipped and fell as he was fleeing in the parking lot, and Deputy Holley jumped on top of him to end the pursuit.” Johnson tensed up and resisted arrest and would not comply. Deputies were eventually able to get Johnson into custody. Johnson was transported to the Gordon County Jail, where he was charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude reckless driving, too fast for conditions, hit and run, obstruction, reckless conduct, passing in a no passing zone, and safety restraints. Gordon County Deputies also contacted the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Detective who was working the burglary case from their jurisdiction.

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