BCSO Issues Statement on Tuesday’s Vehicle Pursuit

The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office has issued a press release with regard to the vehicle pursuit in downtown Statesboro Tuesday afternoon.

AllOnGeorgia previously published photos from the scene. The press release was sent at 4:30 p.m.

Captain Todd Hutchens said in a statement that Corporal Jeff White and Deputy Gregory Rickerson, as part of routine patrol, checked a Dodge Charger’s tag for complaince with registration and insurance coverage. GCIC returned information indicating that the tag was not registered to the vehicle and there was no valid insurance coverage.

Deputy Rickerson activated emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop, at which point the driver fled. Later identified as Avery Robert Harris, the driver attempted to evade deputies and drove down Northside Drive from Buckhead Road. He turned down Savannah Avenue, from Northside Drive, when he was met by other units from the Sheriff’s Office.

Harris lost control of his vehicle and wrecked at the intersection of Savannah Avenue and East Main Street. Sgt. Rey Rodriguez attempted to contain Harris in the car by pinning the doors with the front of his patrol car, but Harris exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Multiple deputies joined the foot chase, which led to the ultimate arrest of Harris.

He was taken into custody, identified, and taken to the Bulloch County Jail. The vehicle was found to be stolen from Rockdale County. Harris is also on probation in Rockdale County and has active warrants for theft by taking in Rockdale County and the City of Conyers.

The Sheriff’s Office reported what was called a ‘laundry list’ of charges including fleeing and attempting to elude officers, reckless driving, driving on suspended license, driving vehicle with altered tag, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of crime, theft by receiving stolen property (the vehicle), illegal possession of Schedule IV narcots, and illegal possession of Schedule V narcotics.