When David Phillips was taken to the hospital following an alleged police chase and crash in DeKalb County last month, he was supposed to be booked and charged in Clayton County upon his release.
But instead, hospital staff let him go, and he evaded custody, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office said.
He’s now considered armed and dangerous and is on the county’s “Most Wanted” list on charges of aggravated assault with intent to murder.
Officials said Phillips was at the center of a chase Oct. 17 that went through two counties and injured one Lake City and three DeKalb officers.
The ordeal began in Clayton County, when a Lake City officer approached Phillips on the suspicion that he was driving a stolen car, Lake City police Chief Tony Whitmire said last month.
He ran from police and attempted to carjack a driver, but failed, Whitmire said.
The suspect then ran into a nearby Auto Auction, where he allegedly stole an SUV with a tow dolly and drove away. As he was driving away, the Lake City officer suffered a leg injury.
The chase continued into DeKalb County.
“During the pursuit, Phillips drove erratically, running a stop sign and a stop light, forcing other drivers in the path of the pursuit to use evasive maneuvers in order to avoid a collision,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
When the SUV eventually crashed, the sheriff’s office said, Phillips took off into the backyard of a nearby home. Officers used a Taser on Phillips to “subdue” him, and he was taken to the hospital.
The sheriff’s office did not say which hospital he was taken to. It’s also unclear how and why Phillips was released.
If anyone sees Phillips, they are urged to call 911. He is described as 6-foot-1 with brown eyes and brown hair. He has several tattoos, including the name “Anna” on his right forearm and the names “Stephanie” and “Ashley” on his neck. He also has the word “Outlaw” on his chest and the bible verse John 3:16 on his right arm.
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