Authorities released the name of an alleged patrol car thief shot Tuesday afternoon by a Cherokee County deputy.
The suspect is 29-year-old Josiah Farino, the GBI said late Tuesday night. His condition has not been released, but Cherokee County sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker said Wednesday that Farino remained at WellStar Kennestone Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
In addition to charges in Gwinnett County and the city of Woodstock, Farino has been charged in Cherokee with aggravated assault on a police officer, theft by taking motor vehicle, interference with government property, fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, misdemeanor obstruction and felony obstruction, Baker said.
A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy shot Farino after he took his patrol car and tried to run him over, authorities said.
Farino then led police on a three-mile chase before being stopped by deputies and Woodstock police, Baker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
About 3 p.m., a deputy was dispatched to a grocery store in the 14000 block of Ga. 92 on reports that a wanted individual was possibly in the area, Baker said.
“The deputy made contact and the suspect fled on foot,” Baker said. “The deputy chased him around the building and the suspect got into the deputy’s car.”
Baker said the suspect drove the patrol car toward the deputy, and the deputy opened fire.
The suspect sped away and was chased by law enforcement authorities for about three miles northwest on Ga. 92, authorities said. He struck another vehicle and eventually came to a stop near Neese Road, Baker said.
He has arrest warrants in multiple jurisdictions, Baker said.
The GBI is investigating the shooting, Baker said.
Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.
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