By Joe Johnson
A Banks County man was arrested this week after he led police on a chase through two counties in a stolen car that wrecked in Oconee County.
According to a Barrow County sheriff’s report, a deputy was parked on the shoulder of Jackson Trail Road at about 2:35 p.m. Wednesday when his car’s automated license plate reader alerted him that a Kia Forte that drove past had been reported as stolen in Banks County, the report stated.
The deputy followed the Kia to Georgia Highway 316 and stayed with it to the intersection of Christmas Avenue and 316 in Bethlehem where a traffic stop was attempted, according to the report. When the Kia pulled onto the shoulder a second deputy arrived and tried to block in the Kia, which was able to drive around the deputy’s car, the report stated.
An ensuing chase that reached speeds of up to 120 mph, and in which the Kia weaved through traffic and cut off other vehicles while tossing objects out of the vehicle’s window, made its way into Oconee County, where an Oconee deputy and a Georgia State Patrol joined the chase at the Oconee Connector, according to the report.
After the Kia turned on to Mars Hill Road, a Barrow deputy caused the Kia to spin out and wreck by performing the Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT maneuver in which the deputy's car struck the side of the Kia to make the driver lose control and wreck.
The driver, identified as 45-year-old Perry Lamar Williams Jr. of Homer, exited the Kia and laid face-down on the ground where he was handcuffed, according to the report.
When running an identity check, deputies learned there was a state Board of Pardons and Paroles warrant for William’s arrest.
Two knives were found in his pockets, the report noted.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Williams was paroled in October 2018 where he served time for a conviction in Banks County for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
When deputies searched the area of 316 where Williams was seen throwing something from the Kia, they located a glass smoking glass with white residue on it, as well as an eyeglasses case that contained a spoon and a syringe filled with suspected meth, the report stated.
When Williams’ belongings were inventoried at the Barrow County Detention Center, 11 counterfeit $100 bills were found in his wallet, according to the report.
Williams was charged with numerous offenses that included theft by receiving a stolen motor vehicle, felony eluding and attempting to evade a police officer, possession of a weapon in the commission of certain felonies, felony tampering with evidence, reckless driving and multiple other traffic law violations.
Williams was being held without bail as of Saturday afternoon.