Suspect identified after police pursuit with stolen vehicles
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A man has been arrested after committing multiple hit and runs and stealing at least four vehicles, one of which was a Gwinnett County Police patrol car, according to Gwinnett County Police.
28-year-old Joshua Scott Jones was named the suspect in this case on Friday. He has been charged with three counts of theft by taking, eluding police officers, obstruction, and other charges.
The police pursuit began around 1:15 p.m. near Jimmy Carter Blvd and Britt Road in unincorporated Norcross. Police were dispatched to a hit and run call in that location.
The suspect fled toward DeKalb County in a box truck, and a witness followed the suspect, giving updates to police along the way. Police say he struck other vehicles while fleeing.
Two witnesses caught the suspect, and held the man down around 1:26 p.m. at South Royal Atlanta Drive near Mountain Industrial Boulevard, according to police.
Police say the suspect was handcuffed behind his back and placed in the backseat of the patrol car while the officer began investigating the situation. He learned that the suspect had an outstanding warrant through Forsyth County.
As the officer was walking back to his patrol car, he saw that the suspect had maneuvered his hands to the front and squeezed through the window of the cage of the patrol car. The suspect jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off with the patrol car at 1:57pm., according to police.
The patrol car was found abandoned on Heritage Golf Links at 2:06pm. As officers began saturating the area, they were told that the suspect had stolen a Ford F150 pickup truck from the maintenance building.
The suspect drove to the Taco Bell parking lot at 5518 Jimmy Carter Boulevard and stole a blue and silver pickup truck, according to police.
After stealing the pickup truck, Officials say he fled to the north into the city of Duluth. It was reported that he committed several hit and runs in the Walmart parking lot on Pleasant Hill Road before traveling back southbound on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
Because a tablet was left in the stolen pickup truck, the victim was able to give updates on the suspect’s location, according to police.
An officer located the suspect around 2:36 p.m. and stopped the pursuit by using a PIT maneuver to end the chase. The officer was not injured. Police say the suspect was conscious and alert, and taken to Gwinnett Medical Center escorted by a police officer.
Authorities say the suspect was still handcuffed when he got out of the overturned pickup truck.
In total, police believe the suspect committed about 6-8 hit and runs, and the box truck that he was in originally was a stolen vehicle.Most of the area has been shut down, so expect traffic delays. Officials are asking that people avoid the area if possible.
The stolen patrol vehicle involved in the pursuit has been recovered. Scott may be released from the hospital on Friday, but has not been booked into the Gwinnett County Jail yet.