Cops: Smash-and-grab leads to chase up Ga. 400

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A man is in police custody after leading authorities on a high-speed chase up Ga. 400 in an effort to flee with clothes he allegedly stole from Dillard’s.

What started as an attempt to stop the man -- who is accused of stealing polo-style shirts and jeans from the Dillard’s at North Point Mall -- quickly turned into a high-speed pursuit after he tried to drive his car into an Alpharetta police cruiser, spokesman George Gordon told WSB Radio.

“What initiated this pursuit -- obviously, the suspect stole the clothing from Dillard’s -- but he tried to ram one of the police units during [an] encounter with Alpharetta police,” Gordon said.

“This was just another futile attempt at a smash and grab at a local mall,” Gordon said.

An Alpharetta police officer saw the car and tried to stop it on Mansell Road, Gordon said. As the officer approached the car, the man drove off.

The man tried to get away from authorities by driving his car along side streets, and then onto Ga. 400, Gordon said.

The man started throwing the stolen clothes out of the car window as he was traveling up the highway, Gordon said.

He then tried to hit one of the police cruisers with his own car, Gordon said.

Alpharetta police followed the man's car as it went into Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Sheriff's deputies placed "stop sticks" on the highway, causing the car's right tire to deflate after driving over them, Gordon said.

The man lost control of the car, swiped a guard rail and then stopped when the car hit a Forsyth sheriff's cruiser, Gordon said.

Gordon said he would have additional information -- including the man’s name as well as a police video of the pursuit -- on Wednesday. The suspect faces several charges, including traffic violations as well as theft.

He also could be charged with felony aggravated assault for trying to hit one of the police units, Gordon told WSB Radio.

Authorities will investigate whether the man is linked to other smash-and-grabs in metro Atlanta, Gordon said.