5 Arrested After Multi-County Chase, Manhunt

ALPHARETTA, GA — A manhunt was underway Friday morning after multiple suspects fled from Ga. 400 when their cars crashed during a multi-county police chase.

As of 8:30 a.m., police confirmed all five suspects have been arrested who police wanted for breaking into cars. Three suspects were taken into custody early Friday morning, while the other two were arrested sometime around 8:30 a.m., the AJC reported.

Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Jay Baker said his department has been on alert for breaking and entering suspects due to a recent increase in crimes. Cherokee deputies were out searching Thursday night looking for potential breaking and entering cases, when they were contacted by the Forsyth Sheriff's Office around 2:30 a.m. about several entering auto incidents occurring, Baker said.

Deputies were told the suspects were at the Forsyth County/Cherokee County line fleeing toward Forsyth County. In a nearby Forsyth neighborhood, Cherokee deputies spotted the two cars which were suspected in an overnight car break in from photos from Forsyth deputies, so they pursued the vehicles. Baker said they have been having issues with car break-ins and theft, although these suspects have not been connected to those crimes.

Alpharetta Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Sgt. Howard Miller said the suspects led officers on a chase from Cherokee County to Forsyth County. The chase ended when one car crashed on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta with a second car was stopped using a PIT maneuver by a police cruiser, Miller said.

Deputies set up a perimeter near Ga. 400, Miller said, and searched nearby neighborhoods and apartment complexes near the Deerfield Point area after suspects ran into the wooded area. At least one suspect was arrested in the apartment complex off Deerfield Point.

GDOT cameras showed patrol cars lining Ga. 400 near Windward Parkway, while a helicopter hovered overhead and officers searched the grounds.

Officers from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Alpharetta Department of Public Safety and Milton Police Department were involved in the search.

The police presence on Ga. 400 caused delays on Ga. 400 southbound near McFarland Parkway just in time for Friday morning rush hour.

Patch will update as we learn more.