A Douglasville man faces up to 49 years in prison after being convicted of nearly running over two police officers with a car when they tried to arrest him in 2017, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office said.
A jury found Alphonso Rikard, 30, guilty of multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.
Douglasville police said Rikard is a “known shoplifter.” Officers were sent to Plato’s Closet on Chapel Hill Road in Douglasville in December 2017 after receiving a call that he was inside, according to the district attorney.
When the officers arrived, Rikard had just gotten into his car, which was parked outside the store, District Attorney Ryan Leonard said. Two officers approached Rikard’s car and announced themselves.
But instead of getting out, Leonard said Rikard hit the gas and crashed into another car in the parking lot.
“As this happened, one of the officers was dragged alongside the vehicle as he tried to reach inside to take the keys out of the ignition,” Leonard said.
After the crash, Rikard put the car in reverse and sped backward toward the officers, nearly running them over. Then, Leonard said he “drove off, weaving in and out of parked vehicles in the shopping center.” Authorities said Rikard led police on a high-speed chase on Chapel Hill Road before he lost control and crashed. At that point, he got out and ran into a wooded area.
Officers caught up with Rikard after someone called police and reported a “suspicious person” limping around their apartment complex hiding in bushes and under stairwells.
The officers searched the car Rikard left behind and found his wallet, which contained a suspended license, according to authorities. The officers said they also found marijuana.
He is due for sentencing March 26. Leonard said Rikard is a seven-time felon and won’t be eligible for parole.
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