Canton Police Make Drug Arrest After Brief Pursuit

CANTON, GA -- Police have charged a man with drug possession after he led a sergeant on a brief foot and vehicle chase Tuesday afternoon along Interstate 575 in Canton. Devantee Rondell Hampton, 24 of Canton, was taken into custody and charged with felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana following the events that unfolded just after 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Sgt. Ben Gilleland was patrolling the area of Riverstone Parkway when he noticed a vehicle "driving in an erratic manner." The driver, later identified as Hampton, blew through an crowded intersection while the traffic signal was red, sped up and got onto the southbound entrance ramp of I-575 while nearly hitting another motorist.

Gilleland activated his patrol unit's lights and tried to catch up to the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver increased his speed and got off the interstate at the Exit 19/Cumming Highway interchange. The sergeant lost sight of the car, but a passing motorist indicated that the car got back onto the entrance ramp of I-575 southbound (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

As he continued his search, Gilleland discovered the suspected vehicle abandoned -- with its doors open and engine running -- along the entrance ramp. Hampton was observed fleeing up a steep hill near the ramp, but he "slipped and rolled back down the hill where Sgt. Gilleland was waiting," Canton police added.

Hampton was taken into custody. Police say another citizen who witnessed the events allegedly saw Hampton throw a white bag out of the window near the Etowah River Bridge.

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Canton officers recovered that bag as well as another sack containing roughly 2.5 ounces of marijuana and a small amount of cash. The investigation also revealed Hampton had active warrants for his arrest through Cherokee County.

“I truly appreciate the dedicated work of Sgt. Gilleland and we are extremely grateful for the assistance and support of our citizens during this incident," said Chief Mark Mitchell. "This is what happens when law enforcement and citizens partner together to remove this type of criminal element from off the streets in our community.”

Photo: Devantee Rondell Hampton. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office