Car thief gets away from Athens police

By Joe Johnson

Athens police officers last week chased after a stolen car but its driver eluded arrest after ditching the vehicle in Jackson County.

The incident began on the night of October 14th on Prince Avenue where a 2018 Mazda 3 was spotted at the Golden Pantry convenience store.

When an officer tried to block the car with her motorcycle, the Mazda reversed into a parked vehicle and sped away.

The officer gave chase and other police units joined the pursuit up Barber Street and then on Newton Bridge Road, where the suspect turned onto Commerce Road and continued on into Jackson County, where the driver bailed and fled into the woods.

Athens police and Jackson K-9 units were unable to locate the suspect, but did recover evidence along the suspect’s path.

The Mazda, which is registered to a Marietta resident, was impounded as evidence,