Officer Dragged By Fleeing Vehicle, Man Faces 49 Years

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA -- A seven-time convicted felon faces up to 49 years after dragging a Douglasville police officer alongside his vehicle as he tried to escape.

On Wednesday, March 13, Alphonso Rikard was found guilty of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing and eluding law enforcement among other charges after a three-day jury trial in front of Superior Court Judge William H. “Beau” McClain.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 26. Rikard, a seven-time convicted felon, will be ineligible for parole. The defendant faces up to 49 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kaitlyn Fain.

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On Dec. 18, 2017 around 6:30 p.m. law enforcement with the Douglasville Police Department responded to the Plato’s Closet on Chapel Hill Road regarding Rikard, a known shoplifter who was inside the store. When they arrived Rikard had just entered his vehicle, which was parked outside of the store in a crowded parking lot. Two officers approached the vehicle and upon them making their presence known Rikard accelerated at a high rate of speed violently crashing into another vehicle 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.

After Rikard crashed into another vehicle, he pulled forward and reversed at a high rate of speed in the direction of both officers, nearly running over them in the process. Rikard drove off, weaving in and out of parked vehicles in the shopping center and led police on a high speed chase down Chapel Hill Road before he lost control of the vehicle. After losing control of the vehicle, the Rikard fled on foot into a heavily wooded area.

The officers searched the vehicle abandoned by Rikard and found his wallet in the driver seat of the vehicle and ran his license which was suspended. They also found marijuana and objects commonly used for the purpose of smoking marijuana. Later a concerned citizen called 911 and reported a suspicious person limping around their apartment complex hiding in bushes and under stairwells. Police responded and determined the suspicious person was the driver of the vehicle and took him into custody.

Douglas County District Attorney Ryan Leonard praised the jury for their diligence and verdict, saying “Those who put the public and law enforcement in danger with their selfish actions will be held responsible for their crimes. There is no excuse for the countless lives the defendant put at risk that night. I applaud the jury for their hard work in this case and holding the defendant accountable for his actions.”

ADA Kaitlyn Fain praised the officers for putting themselves at risk, “These officers placed their lives at risk that night to keep Douglas County safe. Their bravery and dedication to this community went above and beyond the line of duty. This community should be proud of these officers and their hard work."