Gwinnett County police are searching for a possibly “suicidal and homicidal” man who is believed to be on the run with his 5-year-old son.
The episode began Friday night, when a Gwinnett police officer stopped a vehicle for running a red light in Buford, police said in a statement released Tuesday.
The officer ran a license check on the man and discovered that the driver, 33-year-old Jeremiah E. Johnson, had been reported as missing from Iowa and was accompanied by his 5-year-old son.
The information from Iowa indicated that Johnson could be “suicidal and homicidal” and disappeared with his son during a custody dispute with the child’s mother.
When the officer told Johnson to get out of his car, he drove away and was able to elude the officer, who was following at a distance out of concern for the child’s safety, police said.
Over the weekend, authorities with the Jackson County [Georgia] Sheriff’s Office found Johnson’s personal belongings had been abandoned. Police are concerned that Johnson may harm himself and the boy or is trying to start a new identity.
Gwinnett police have secured arrest warrants for Johnson on charges of fleeing or eluding police, two counts of obstructing a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, cruelty to children, failure to obey a traffic control device and reckless conduct.
Police are looking for Johnson’s silver 2003 Volkswagen Passat, bearing Iowa tag 608ZDB. The car has a carrier attached the back that extends approximately 3 feet. There is a large-screen TV attached to the back of the front seat and there are handwritten writings on the exterior of the vehicle, one of which says “9/11 Veteran,” police said.
Johnson is described as white, 5-foot-9 and 230 pounds with blond hair and green eyes.
Police are asking that anyone who sees the car or may have information call 911 or Gwinnett County police at 770-513-5000.
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