DEMOREST — A Cleveland man was treated for a dog bite and is now in jail after fleeing from a Demorest police officer Monday afternoon.
“Officer Ty Moss was about to stop a vehicle for suspended registration,” said Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum. Ty was in the school zone there on Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway. The car accelerated and turned onto Golf Course Road, then onto Pheasant Drive.”
The driver pulled behind a house on Pheasant Drive and abandoned the car.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded, quickly establishing a perimeter around the scene in an attempt to contain the man.
The man was located about one-quarter mile from the residence where he abandoned the car, hiding in the woods.
“He received a bite injury to his right shoulder,” Krockum said. “He was refusing to comply with the K-9 handler’s commands.”
Andrew Darrin Harrelson, 32, of Cleveland is charged by Demorest Police Department with driving with suspended registration, driving while license suspended, obstruction, reckless driving, and fleeing and attempting to elude, Krockum said.
After receiving treatment for his injuries at Habersham Medical Center, Harrelson was booked at the Habersham County Detention Center.
The incident occurred a short distance from Hilliard Wilbanks Middle School and Demorest Elementary School.
“Both schools were notified of the situation and officers were on scene,” Krockum said.
Several students who normally walk on Golf Course Road after school were being held at school until the situation was resolved, the chief said.
“We got a pretty quick perimeter and had him contained fairly quickly,” Krockum said.
Krockum said the total pursuit was about eight-tenths of a mile.
