Suspect arrested in Griffin carjacking that sent victim to Atlanta hospital

A man suspected in a Spalding County carjacking that resulted in serious injuries for the vehicle’s owner Tuesday morning has been arrested.

Sammy Devontavious Felton, 19, of Athens, was found in Fayette County on Tuesday evening, according to a news release posted by Griffin police. Details about the stolen car were shared on the Georgia Crime Information Network, which allowed Fayette sheriff’s deputies to spot it.

When they tried to perform a traffic stop, Felton fled and the deputies followed in pursuit, Griffin police said. In the course of the chase, Felton lost control of the car and crashed. He was arrested and now faces additional charges in Fayette.

The incident began just before 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. Felton broke into an unoccupied car in the parking lot of a strip mall located at 1591 West McIntosh Road, Griffin police said, but he was confronted by the car’s owner as he tried to leave.

Felton drove away and ran over the car owner in the process, according to police. The car owner suffered a head injury and was flown to Atlanta Medical Center, where they are expected to make a full recovery.

Felton has been charged in Griffin with counts of felony theft and aggravated assault. In Fayette, he is facing additional charges of obstruction, fleeing, attempting to elude and multiple traffic violations.