A man is facing a list of charges after allegedly leading police on a chase through Rabun and Habersham counties and then threatening officers with a hatchet Monday evening.
A social media post by the Rabun County Sheriff's Office Tuesday said one of their deputies tried to stop a Ford Explorer with a Louisiana tag that was reported stolen. The driver of the Explorer, Charles Austin Lawrence, age 36, then reportedly fled.
Habersham County authorities said they received a tip from Rabun County dispatchers that the vehicle was fleeing southbound on U.S. 441 towards Habersham County just before 7:00 p.m. The chase ended when Lawrence lost control on 441 Southbound at Talmadge Drive near Clarkesville.
Rabun County Sheriff's Office officials said Lawrence then got out of the car and was wielding a hatchet. Officers on the scene were reportedly able to deescalate the situation and Lawrence was arrested.
Lawrence is being held in the Rabun County Detention Center without bond. He faces charges of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Reckless Driving and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property among others.
The Clayton Police Department also assisted in the chase and arrest.
