Suspect who fled probation officer arrested

FLOWERY BRANCH - Authorities have found and arrested the man who fled after a probation officer attempted to serve him with a felony probation warrant.

According to Hall County Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks, Michael John Barnier, Jr., 39, was apprehended and is being held at the Hall County jail facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer as well as two counts of misdemeanor obstruction.

Wilbanks said the suspect showed up at the probation office for a meeting Tuesday afternoon but fled when his probation officer told him there was a felony probation warrant out for his arrest in Tennessee.

Wilbanks said the suspect jumped into his pick-up truck and the probation officer jumped into the bed of the truck as it was speeding away.

He said the suspect jumped out of the truck in the area of Mulberry Street. The probation officer also exited the back of the truck and was not injured in the incident.

After a lengthy search that included the help of K-9 units and a Georgia State Patrol helicopter, Barnier was apprehended by Hall County deputies near Wade Orr Road in Flowery Branch.

According to Wilbanks, Barnier was originally wanted in Tennessee for felony theft.