The Hall County Sheriff's Office said Thursday afternoon a suspect remains at large in connection with a chop shop that was discovered in the county earlier in the week.
Henry Parker Whitley, 31, reportedly fled Monday evening from a traffic stop on SR 365 in Habersham County. Authorities later found Whitley at a home on Tribble Gap Road in Hall County. He fled from authorities Tuesday afternoon and eluded capture.
Hall County investigators found evidence of a chop shop on the property. Specifically, investigators found a U-Haul truck, a Kubota tractor, a Bobcat excavator and several utility trailers. All of the equipment was believed to have been stolen.
Investigators also found 1.5 lbs of crystal methamphetamine, 17 grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia at the home. Additionally, they confiscated $55,855 in cash, three rifles and a large amount of ammunition.
Faith Nicole Vickers, 24, of Oakwood, was arrested at the scene and charged with trafficking methamphetamine.
Authorities are still searching for Whitley as of Thursday afternoon. Felony warrants were issued for Whitley's arrest for trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, chop shop violation, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Investigators believe Whitley is armed and should be considered dangerous. Anyone who has information about Whitley's whereabouts can call 911 or Hall County Sheriff's Office Investigator Shon Atkins at 770-536-5556.
Original story posted Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 10:44 p.m.:
The search for a motorcyclist who fled from Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies Monday night led to the discovery of a possible chop shop operation and illegal drugs inside Hall County.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office officials said the motorcyclist, later identified as Henry Whitley, remains at large and faces active warrants for his arrest.
Deputies pursued the motorcycle into Hall County and ended the pursuit in the Clermont area after losing radio contact with dispatchers.
A tip led Habersham County deputies to a home on Tribble Gap Road in Hall County, where the motorcycle was located.
Deputies located the motorcycle and contacted three occupants of the home.
Whitley fled on foot out a back door, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. He was not caught and a K9 was unable to locate him.
While on the scene, deputies observed methamphetamine in plain view, and the other two occupants were detained.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office was contacted due to the drug evidence in plain sight, and the location appearing to be a chop shop.
Several vehicles on the property had been reported stolen, so a search warrant was obtained for the whole property and residence, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. Narcotics and cash were located, along with several firearms. Multiple stolen trailers, a stolen tractor, a stolen U-Haul box truck, and other stolen items also were recovered.
The incident remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff's Office and additional information about those arrested and the charges will be forthcoming from that agency.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2022/6/1108743/habersham-chase-investigation-leads-to-suspected-chop-shop-drugs-in-hall-county