Suspect Leads Officer On Chase, But Hits A Wall When He Can't Scale Fence

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A man allegedly caught in the act of trying to steal a car attempted to make a run for it, but that physical exertion got the best of him.

Police arrested Cartersville resident Matthew Adam Gayton, 28, and charged with misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, criminal damage to property in the second degree, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and entering auto or other motor vehicle with the intent to commit a felony.

A deputy with the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Roswell Auto Brokers at 2924 Highway 411 in unincorporated Cartersville around 6:48 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. A dispatcher informed the deputy that two people were standing next to a 2003 Nissan Maxima and the vehicle’s car alarm had been activated.

The responding deputy arrived onto the scene and witnessed a man “wearing a white hat with a head lamp (turned) on, a yellow down jacket and blue jeans” exit the vehicle and make eye contact.

The officer ordered the suspect, later identified as Gayton, to show his hands, and he initially complied with the request. However, once the officer ordered him to step away from the vehicle, Gayton allegedly took off running north along Highway 411.

According to the report, the officer got back into his vehicle and drove north on the highway. He observed Gayton running across the railroad tracks and saw the suspect remove his jacket.

Gayton was later seen by the deputy running towards the tree line and another fence. The suspect then fell down and “began walking as though he was out of breath,” so the deputy got out of his patrol vehicle and once again ordered Gayton to stop and show his hands.

“At this time, he began jogging towards the fence and attempted to climb over it,” the report states. “He was able to get both hands over the top of the fence, but did not have the strength to pull the rest of his body over. He then dropped to a sitting position with his back against the fence.”

The officer caught up with Gayton and was able to handcuff and place him in the back of the patrol vehicle. The officer retrieved the coat and other belongings the suspect dropped while fleeing the officer.

When he returned to Roswell Auto Brokers, the deputy began to inspect the Nissan Maxima for damage. The vehicle had a shattered rear left passenger window, and feathers allegedly from Gayton’s jacket were seen inside the vehicle.

An observation of the suspect’s jacket led the deputy to conclude the garment was damaged when it rubbed against the broken pieces of glass, thus forcing the feathers to land inside the vehicle as Gayton ”worked to remove the dash and ignition.”

Also located inside the vehicle were a black hood with black tape, a red and black-handled screw driver and black Craftsman flash light and a camouflage wallet allegedly containing the suspect’s Georgia identification card.

Both the dash and ignition from the car had been removed and damaged; numerous wires and parts also had been removed from the ignition, the report states.

The owner of Roswell Auto Brokers estimated the damage from the alleged attempt was over $2,000. Records show he was booked into the Bartow County Jail at. 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.