Two steal car on test drive, injured in high-speed chase

VILLA RICA - Two men were hospitalized Thursday after allegedly stealing a car on a dealership test drive, robbing the salesman and crashing during a high-speed police chase along Interstate 20 west of Atlanta.

The two went to John Bleakley Ford in Lithia Springs and asked to test drive a Ford Mustang, Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller said. One pulled a knife on the salesman who accompanied them and made him withdraw $100 from an ATM, Miller said.

They allegedly taped up and dropped the salesman off at a park-and-ride lot, but the salesman managed to use his cell phone to call 911. Officers chased the car west on I-20 at speeds of more than 100 mph before the crash at an exit.

Steven Swords of Albertville, Ala., and Robert Lewis of Ellijay were charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and other charges, Miller said.
Lewis was taken to Tanner Medical Center-Villa Rica and Swords was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.