Two men were arrested Thursday after leading police on a chase through Sandy Springs that ended with the suspects driving a stolen Range Rover off an 18-foot retaining wall, authorities said.
The chase began about 4 p.m. after officers spotted the SUV near Dunwoody Place and Northridge Road. The vehicle had been reported stolen in Douglas County, Sandy Springs police spokesman Sgt. Sal Ortega said.
As the suspects fled, their vehicle hit two patrol cars that attempted to box them in, according to police.
A brief chase ensued, but the pursuit came to an end when the suspects drove into a shopping center parking lot at the intersection of Roswell and Northridge roads, Ortega said.
“The vehicle, in an attempt to elude officers, drove to the rear of the shopping center at a high rate of speed, going through a fence and driving off an 18-foot-high retaining wall,” he said.
The SUV traveled about 65 feet before landing in a wooded area between the shopping center and an adjacent apartment complex.
The suspects, identified Friday as 18-year-old Dylan Crutchfield of LaFayette and 36-year-old Janard Kirksey of Sandy Springs, were taken into custody at the scene and transported to the hospital with minor injuries, authorities said.
Both men had outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions, and Kirksey was wanted on an aggravated assault charge, according to police.
Crutchfield, who was driving the SUV, is charged with reckless driving, running a red light, failure to maintain lane, theft by receiving a stolen auto, theft by receiving a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, fleeing to elude and hit-and-run.
Kirksey is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and two counts of theft by receiving stolen property.
Additional charges are possible pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.
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