HOMER - The Banks County Sheriff's Office today released more details about a brief vehicle pursuit and subsequent all-day manhunt Thursday near Gillsville.
Sgt. Carissa McFaddin said the incident began when deputies were conducting a safety checkpoint on Carson Segars Road Thursday morning.
"A gold BMW that was approaching the checkpoint began quickly and recklessly backing up in the roadway," McFaddin said. "The driver then turned the vehicle around and continued at a high rate of speed in the opposite direction. Deputies pursued the vehicle until the driver lost control at the intersection of Carson Segars Road and Highway 323."
The driver, 40-year-old Roger Wayne Stockton of Maysville, and a rear seat passenger, 35-year-old Kelly Ian Waldrop of Commerce, both fled the scene.
Two other passengers got out of the car, but were detained.
They have been identified as 37-year-old Tommy Chester Tench of Maysville and 30-year-old Sheena Marie McGonigle of Homer.
Tench faces outstanding warrants from both Banks and Jackson counties. As a result of Thursday's incident, he also is charged with obstruction of an officer and with possession of a dangerous drug.
McGonigle faces outstanding warrants in Jackson County, and was turned over to Jackson County deputies at the scene.
Stockton and Waldrop fleeing the scene triggered an all-day search by the Banks County Sheriff's Office, Lee Arrendale State Prison K-9 Unit, and Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division.
Stockton was located at an address on Gillsville Lake Road after a citizen contacted 9-1-1 regarding his whereabouts. He is charged with theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, weaving over roadway, and obstruction of officers.
Waldrop was located walking on Queen Road shortly after Stockton was located at approximately 4:45 p.m. He is charged with obstruction of officers.
"Deputies were notified by our dispatch center that the vehicle was stolen out of North Carolina," McFaddin said, adding Stockton is facing charges out of North Carolina.
