Entering Auto Suspect Arrested After Foot Chase in Canton

CANTON, GA — A Jasper resident accused of trying to enter into a vehicle parked at a local restaurant was arrested after a short foot pursuit Friday evening in Canton. Officers were dispatched to a call of a suspicious person around 8 p.m. March 9 at Panda Express at 1401 Riverstone Parkway.

Cherokee 9-1-1 dispatchers were told by the caller that a man sporting a black hoodie "tried to open her car door as her son sat in the vehicle while she was picking up food at the restaurant," Canton police said.

An officer arrived and found a man matching the description standing along Reinhardt College Parkway near Riverstone Parkway. The Canton lieutenant began talking with the man, who police say appeared to be under the influence and would not provide the cop with his name and date of birth (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

Once the backup officer arrived at the intersection, the man took off across Reinhardt College Parkway towards LongHorn Steakhouse. Both cops chased the man, who was later found running back towards Riverstone Parkway through the parking lot. A Georgia state trooper who was in the area joined the pursuit, and was able to catch the man and take him into custody.

After his arrest, the suspect, identified as Steven Neil Walker, 34, was allegedly in possession of a small amount of marijuana, drug-related objects and an unmarked pill bottle containing suspected Xanax. After clearing the scene, officers were also notified by another person at Panda Express who said their vehicle door was open, its ignition was running and an unknown cell phone was left behind.

Detectives followed up on the case, and Walker admitted to trying to enter one vehicle and leaving behind his cell phone in another vehicle he successfully entered. Walker is charged with entering auto, possession of a schedule IV drug, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, misdemeanor obstruction of an officer and possession of drug-related objects.

“I commend the efforts of the citizen who contacted us about this crime, the work of our officers and want to thank the Georgia State Patrol for their support," said Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell. "The combined teamwork was vital to the suspect’s arrest and goes a long way toward improving the quality of life for those we serve."

Photo: Steven Neil Walker. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office