Officers Chase, Arrest Wanted Fugitive in Gwinnett

A man wanted on several outstanding warrants was arrested after a short car chase by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies Thursday.

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Shannon Volkodav said James Staples, 41, was hiding out at the Hampton Inn on Riverside Parkway in Lawrenceville when agents arrived. Staples is listed as a Lilburn resident in jail records.

He was wanted on the following warrants:

• Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (2 counts)
• VCGSA Possession of methamphetamine
• Driving – open container
• Obstruction
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer
• Driving on a divided highway
• State Court Bench Warrant

Additional charges are expected.

The arrest was a joint effort between the sheriff’s office, US Marshal Fugitive Task Force, Gwinnett Metro Drug Task Force and the Georgia State Patrol.

Volkodav said in a press release that Staples fled in a car when he saw officers approach the hotel. The car chase ended on Oakland Road, when deputies used the Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) maneuver, in which a police car forces a fleeing car to turn sideways.

Staples tried to run, but was quickly caught.