High Speed Chase in Three Counties Leads to Arrest

Sections of this report are provided by the Cumming Police Department, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and/or the Forsyth County Fire Department. 

The Cumming Crime Corner and Fire is a public service to the community and is not a complete listing of all crime and fire activity. This report does not indicate a conviction.

Scrap Metal Reported Stolen

August 29, the office South Precinct received a call concerning theft. The caller stated that he had parked his utility trailer loaded with 3000 fluorescent light metal casings on his property on Union Hill Road and it had been stolen.

He further stated that the trailer was barely road worthy but the total value including the metal casings was approximately $10,000. A notice was sent out to the scrap metal task force for them to inform scrap yards of the theft.

Suspect Leaves Evidence of Blood at Gym

August 29, A deputy was on the scene at located at Tri County Plaza to gather information concerning multiple thefts. One victim reported that his locker had been pried apart and entered.

He reported his wallet containing his social security card and driver’s license, cell phone, wedding ring and $200 were missing. The second victim reported that his locker was not secured but that he could not locate his backpack that contained his work uniform, shoes and personal keys.

During the investigation an employee of Gold’s Gym told the investigators that he had located a bag containing several items and a wedding ring found in the sink of the bathroom adjacent to the locker rooms. He further stated that he had just cleaned up a large amount of blood from around the sink in the same location and had a trash bag that contained the bloody towels.

Fortunately the victims were able to recover some of their belongings. The cell phone recovered will be used for further investigation since there was blood on it, along with bloody clothes that were found in a trash can.

Regular gym members reported seeing a suspicious man in his early 20's with a slender build and dark hair, approximately 6’0 in the gym. It was reported that several witnesses did not recognize the man as being a regular at the gym and overheard him inquire about the showers from an attendant at the front.

Video surveillance of the interior of the gym including the parking lot is being reviewed.

Good Samaritan Robbed

August 29, a good Samaritan allowed a homeless man to come into his home. It was reported that this good Samaritan gave the homeless man a place to stay and gave him work in his business.

He told the deputy that he left his home and when he returned the suspect Terrence Gazaway was gone and that an iPhone, book bags, jewelry, clothing and other valuables were missing with an estimated value of $25,000.

High Speed Chase Through Several Counties

August 24, Forsyth County deputies assisted authorities from Alpharetta and Gwinnett County in a high speed chase. The chase started in Alpharetta and ended near Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

It was reported that the 50-year-old man began eluding the Alpharetta Police on Georgia 400 at McFarland Road. A Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputy joined in the chase at Peachtree Parkway when the suspect passed going at an estimated speed of 120 mph.

Another deputy with a digital camera began recording the pursuit as they headed off Exit 14 onto Georgia Highway 20 eastbound. The driver was speeding through red lights and intersections, driving on the wrong side of the road and still maintaining a high rate of speed.

Deputies began tactical maneuvers to stop the vehicle. Attempts were made but failed when the driver was struck and then corrected his vehicle and accelerated in speed again. The Gwinnett County Police were notified that the suspect was approaching into their jurisdiction.

As the driver continued to drive at speeds in excess of 100 mph a deputy tried again to force the vehicle off the road with his vehicle. This time the contact lead to the driver's vehicle spinning out of control and hitting a power pole guide wire which prevented the vehicle from rolling over.

The suspect refused to exit the vehicle after several attempts with no results, a taser was used. The 50-year-old still tried to hold onto the steering wheel, air bags and seat while being pulled from the vehicle.

After being cleared at the scene for injuries he was transported to the Forsyth County Detention Center and was charged with Speeding, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Miscellaneous traffic violations and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officers.

The suspect's bail was set at $10,021.00, he bonded out of jail on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Chickens Stolen

August 24, a small chicken coup was robbed of three chickens. It was reported that someone had stolen two chickens on Monday night and one chicken on Tuesday night. The resident on Blue Ridge Overlook is installing video surveillance and locks to prevent further thefts.

Car Wash Damaged

August 23, on Buford Highway called in reference to damage to their car wash. A deputy was told that a white man, 6’0” with brownish blonde hair drove into the car wash in a red Dodge pickup truck with a trailer attached. The sign clearly states no trailers are allowed in the car wash.

It was reported that the suspect noticed the trailer was caught on one of the brushes and began to back up and go forwards in order to break free. The brush finally broke away from the arm and the man got out of the truck and unhooked the brush and drove away. The owner has a video of the incident and estimates the damage at $10,000.

Felony Warrant Suspect Arrested

August 23, an arrest was made on a 20-year-old man who had outstanding felony warrants. A consented search of the residence yielded Oxycodone, a controlled II synthetic narcotic along with $1550 and a gun.

Along with the outstanding warrants, he was charged with two felonies; Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony and Possession with Intent to Distribute.

For an updated list of Forsyth County's "Most Wanted" click here: Forsyth County Sheriff's Most Wanted.

Fire

Capt. Jason Shivers with the Forsyth County Fire Department reported a total of 268 incidents for the week of August 22 – August 29. They were called to two structure fires with no injuries, one vehicle fire, one heavy equipment fire, six brush fires, 163 medical emergencies, one gas spill, two natural gas leaks, five downed power lines, four unauthorized burn calls, 38 cancelled in route, five smoke scares and 18 false alarms.

Shivers said that our county is still under a burn ban until Oct. 1. This date may change depending on our weather conditions and the continuing dry conditions we are experiencing.

For questions about this blotter, e-mail Liz Kennedy, Editor, Cumming.Patch.