Driver Of Stolen SUV Rammed Into Police Car, Jumped Out Of Window In Police Chase: Cops

MARIETTA, GA — A Cobb County man stole an SUV overnight, got a flat tire and was trying to get it fixed when police cornered his car. He then rammed into a police car, led them on a chase through Marietta before authorities arrested him, authorities said.

Just before 8 a.m. Tuesday, a business owner reported a 2006 blue Honda Element was stolen overnight from their facility at 522 Roswell St. Five hours later, an anonymous caller reported seeing the stolen SUV near Canton Road with a flat tire, a spokesperson for the Marietta Police Department said.

The caller said the driver would likely be trying to get the tire replaced or repaired in the area, so officers began their search. They found it parked in front of a tire facility near the intersection of Sandy Plains and Canton roads, and tried to box it in.

The driver of the Element, now identified as Kenneth Edward Fletcher, 35, of Marietta, put the car in reverse and rammed into the front of a police car while fleeing the parking lot, MPD officials said.

Cobb County police joined MPD officers in chasing Fletcher for roughly 2 miles before using a PIT maneuver to stop him at the intersection of Canton Road and Cobb Parkway. One MPD and one CCPD police car were damaged in the process.

But that wasn't the end of the pursuit. Fletcher jumped out of the passenger window of the stolen SUV as it was coming to a stop and tried to run away. Officers chased after him and eventually arrested him following a short chase, authorities said.

While trying to stop the suspect, police also discovered the tag on the Element was registered to a different vehicle.

Fletcher was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for medical clearance before he can be booked into the Cobb County jail. He faces eight charges:

• Aggravated assault on an officer
• Fleeing/Attempting to elude
• Hit-and-run
• Acquiring a plate to conceal identification of a vehicle
• Reckless driving
• Obstruction
• Theft by receiving greater than $1,500
• Criminal interference with government property

The theft case at 522 Roswell St. is still open, and additional charges related to that incident are still possible, police said.

“I would like to personally thank the Cobb 911 operators for their rapid transmission of information. Their actions not only enabled our officers, but also the Cobb County officers in the surrounding area to work together swiftly and seamlessly. I am proud of all the Marietta and Cobb officers that acted as one team to hold this suspect accountable for his actions," MPD Chief Martin Ferrell said. "Most importantly I want to thank the anonymous caller for trusting us to handle the situation appropriately. Partnerships like these, with our community as well as neighboring jurisdictions, are part of what make Marietta so special.”