5 Assist In Woodstock Police Chase

WOODSTOCK, GA — Five people, including a Cobb County police lieutenant and a Cherokee County construction inspector, will soon be honored for their efforts in helping Woodstock Police catch a fleeing suspect.

Police said Thursday an officer saw a vehicle speedily making unsafe lane changes around 4:15 p.m., Aug. 3, on Interstate 575 south. As the vehicle exited the interstate onto Towne Lake Parkway, the officer followed behind it in an attempt to stop the vehicle, police said.

The vehicle then turned onto Buckhead Crossing before turning into the Park at Towne Lake apartment complex, police said.

A person identified as Jaxson Rupert showed the officer where the vehicle had traveled to while another person identified as Justin Shubert told the officer that the driver had left the vehicle was running from the scene.

"A perimeter was established, and the foot pursuit would take officers through Deer Run subdivision, along the sound barrier of I-575 and onto I-575, where another officer was set up," police said in a news release.

The second officer started chasing the suspect. James Stokes, construction inspector for the Cherokee County SPLOST/Roadway Department, sprung into action and assisted with the chase.

"The officer jumped into the bed of (Stokes') pick-up truck, and Stokes drove the officer in pursuit of the suspect. (Stokes) then stopped his pick-up truck and boosted the officer over a barrier to continue pursuit," police said in the release.

Off-duty Cobb County Police Lt. Lee Turman then took the second officer back to his vehicle, where Stokes had returned to the patrol vehicle to keep it “secure” until the officer could return to it, police said.

A passerby then told officers the suspect was seen running from the wood line at I-575 towards Woodstock Parkway. The police chase entered the area of Ravenwood Drive, where it headed into an occupied home. Police said the suspect ran out of the backdoor of the home.

The suspect then went onto the front porch of Henry Higgins' home, where Higgins tried to stop him until officers arrived and eventually took him into custody without further incident, police said.

Police identified the suspect as Bailey Avey, 21, of Atlanta. Avey was charged on suspicion of reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude, theft by receiving stolen property, driving on a suspended license, five counts of obstruction and criminal trespass, police said.

“This incident is proof that Woodstock has the best citizens in the state of Georgia. Each of these citizens displayed courage, determination and support for the safety and security of our city. Their actions on this day are to be commended. Without their assistance, we may not have been successful in the quick apprehension of Mr. Avey,” Woodstock Police Chief Robert L. Jones said in the release.

The five people will be honored during an upcoming Woodstock City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Chambers at City Center in downtown Woodstock.