Entering Auto Suspect Captured After Fleeing Traffic Stop

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — A 19-year-old man police believe was involved in several entering autos in Brookhaven and Dunwoody was captured by Sandy Springs' top cop after trying to flee a traffic stop.

These fast-moving events unfolded around 1:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 when officers were asked to keep an eye out on vehicles that were allegedly involved in incidents where cars were broken into in the two DeKalb County cities.

Sandy Springs police spokesperson Sgt. Sam Worsham said an officer saw some vehicles fitting the description provided in the be-on-the-lookout alert and tried to perform a traffic stop.

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However, the drivers of the cars had other ideas, as they fled the scene, Worsham said. One of the vehicles bolted northbound on Roswell Road and the other drove southbound towards Atlanta. Soon after fleeing, both vehicles crashed and the occupants fled on foot, the SSPD spokesperson added.

One of the suspects, identified as 19-year-old Joel Harewood of McDonough, was found hiding inside a business in The Prado shopping center at 5600 Roswell Road. Worsham added Harewood was taken into custody by Sandy Springs Police Chief Ken DeSimone.

The vehicles had several items inside "related to car break-ins in the area," Worsham said. No injuries were reported in the collision, and the investigation remains active. The SSPD spokesperson added arrest warrants have been issued for the driver of the other vehicle, which crashed in the 3700 block of Roswell Road.

DeKalb County Jail records show Harewood was booked into its facility on Jan. 21 on one count of entering auto by Dunwoody police. Worsham also told Patch that additional charges are forthcoming.

Image via Sandy Springs Police Department