A routine stolen vehicle report escalated into a multi-county pursuit Wednesday morning, culminating in a tense foot chase and arrest at a bustling gas station near the Richmond-Columbia County line.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at approximately 10:25 a.m. Wednsday, when deputies responded to reports of a stolen vehicle near 1350 Walton Way. Dispatch quickly issued a be-on-the-lookout alert to all units in the area.
Deputy Dakota Clark spotted the suspect vehicle traveling along Wrightsboro Road. With caution, he called for backup before attempting a traffic stop. But when he activated his emergency lights and siren, the driver refused to yield, sparking a chase that would stretch across two counties.
With sirens wailing and law enforcement in pursuit, the suspect raced down Washington Road, weaving through traffic and disregarding multiple stop signals. Deputies from Richmond and Columbia Counties, along with troopers from the Georgia State Patrol, joined the pursuit to prevent civilian danger and keep the suspect in sight.
The chase came to a dramatic conclusion at the Raceway gas station at Stevens Creek and Washington Road, a heavily trafficked intersection. The suspect, later identified as Amanda Nelson, 44, of Augusta, abandoned the stolen vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
But she didn’t get far.
“She was quickly surrounded by deputies and taken into custody without incident,” the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “There were no injuries or property damage.”
Nelson was transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where she now faces multiple charges, including felony fleeing and theft by taking.
