DeKalb County deputies arrested a longtime fugitive Monday after he tried to flee and crashed his car into a pole, the sheriff’s office said.

Deraus Bernard Jeffery, a 21-year-old Decatur resident, has been wanted by DeKalb County police since 2014 for assault and battery charges.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located Jeffery and attempted to pull him over, according to spokeswoman Officer Cynthia Williams.

Jeffery tried to escape the deputies and crashed his car into a utility pole on Memorial Drive near the Belvedere Plaza Shopping Center, Williams said. Georgia Power crews have since repaired the broken utility pole and downed power lines.

Jeffery had outstanding warrants from incidents involving two women, the sheriff’s office said.

Before Monday's chase, Jeffery originally had two charges of felony aggravated assault with a weapon, two charges of family violence battery and four charges of third degree child cruelty.

He is now also charged with — among other citations — reckless driving, attempting to elude a police officer, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

About the Author

Featured

Savannah Chrisley, daughter of former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, speaks outside the Federal Prison Camp on May 28, 2025, in Pensacola, Fla. President Donald Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $36 million and hiding millions in earnings to avoid paying taxes. (Dan Anderson/AP)

Credit: Dan Anderson/AP