Aggravated Assault Suspect Who Escaped Police Custody Captured, GA Police Say

Updated 1:141 p.m.

SAVANNAH, GA — An aggravated assault suspect has been re-arrested after escaping police custody Monday night in Chatham County, police said Tuesday.

The Chatham County Police Department searched for Robert Wayne Bookter, 39, after he sprayed an unknown chemical irritant in the patrol car, injuring the patrol officer and helping Bookter to escape while wearing handcuffs.

The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. in the area of Chatham Parkway and Police Memorial Drive.

He was captured around noon Tuesday near the 100 block of Southern Boulevard after being noticed by a Chatham County deputy, police said. The area is about a quarter mile from where he escaped, police said.

Bookter will be taken to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he faces additional charges of obstruction and battery of a law enforcement officer, police said.

What Happened?

Bookter had been pulled over for having no tag or tail lights on a trailer he was driving, police said.

During the traffic stop, police said they determined multiple outstanding warrants from Liberty and Chatham counties were pending against Bookter. Charges included aggravated assault, police said.

Bookter was arrested, but during transport to the jail, police said he sprayed a chemical that caused the officer to cough uncontrollably and his eyes and nose to severely water.

When the officer put his patrol car into park, the doors automatically unlocked, and a handcuffed Bookter was able to open the back door to flee the vehicle, police said.

The officer was temporarily incapacitated and could not chase Bookter, though he was able to radio for help, police said.

A manhunt for Bookter immediately started and lasted for several hours. He was last seen handcuffed behind his back while wearing a one-piece, all-camouflage suit, police said.

The officer allowed Bookter to wear the camouflage suit due to the cold weather, police said. The officer patted down Bookter's suit but not the clothes he was wearing underneath, police said.

Additionally, the child-safety locks on the patrol car were not activated, allowing the back door to be opened when the car was put into park, police said.

Police did not identify the chemical that was sprayed in the vehicle. They said the injured officer was taken to a hospital for treatment and was later released.

Bookter's suspected escape came about a week after three inmates, including a murder suspect, escaped the DeKalb County Jail.

After successfully taking a Lyft to Miami, Florida, they are back in custody, local authorities say.

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