A typically quiet Coweta County neighborhood became the site of a massive manhunt Friday morning as police searched for auto break-in suspects who stole a pickup truck and then shot at another homeowner.
Police were called to the White Oak neighborhood near I-85 in Newnan about 6 a.m. after at least two people entering several unlocked cars fired at a homeowner who confronted them, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Elaine Jordan told AJC.com.
“They were entering autos — car-hopping — and they found a vehicle with the keys left inside the truck,” Jordan said. “They stole a Dodge Ram 1500 and then continued to enter vehicles when they came upon some dirt bikes.”
Police said the suspects loaded the two motorcycles into the back of the stolen pickup and continued through the subdivision in search of additional unlocked vehicles.
As the suspects rummaged through another car, they were confronted by a homeowner, Jordan said.
One suspect ran from the driveway, turned around and fired at the homeowner before getting back into the stolen pickup and taking off, police said.
A deputy located the truck a short time later and tried to pull it over, but the suspects took off through the Newnan neighborhood. The chase came to an end when the suspects ran out of asphalt at the end of Posey Road near I-85 and then ran away, Jordan said.
Deputies with K-9s and members of the SWAT team pursued the duo through some woods but were unable to locate them. The dogs tracked the suspects’ scent to a guard rail along the interstate, where police believe they got into a waiting vehicle.
The dirt bikes, the pickup and several items taken from unlocked cars were recovered, but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the break-ins and subsequent chase is asked to call investigators at 770-253-1502.
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