An armed man was arrested Thursday after leading deputies on a chase that took them from the Hamilton Place mall area to Catoosa County, Georgia, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
About 4 p.m. Thursday, Chief Deputy Austin Garrett attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop after seeing a black Mustang driving recklessly northbound on Interstate 75 near Hamilton Place Boulevard, the release states, and the driver of the vehicle ignored Garrett's attempts to get him to stop. A pursuit ensued. As the vehicle entered the area near Hamilton Place mall, Garrett temporarily suspended the pursuit because of heavy traffic and congestion, according to the news release.
The man lost control of his vehicle and spun out near the 2000 block of Hamilton Place Boulevard, and Hamilton County deputies attempted to take him into custody, at which time he fled again, striking Garrett's vehicle in the process, the release states. The pursuit was re-engaged after leaving the Hamilton Place mall area and continued on I-75 south into Catoosa County, Georgia, despite the Mustang only having three functioning wheels, according to the release.
This photo shows the damage done to a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies vehicle during a vehicle pursuit that began in the Hamilton Place mall area and ended with the suspect's arrest in Catoosa County, Georgia. / Photo contributed by Hamilton County Sheriff's OfficeThe man recklessly exited I-75 south onto Cloud Springs Road, and multiple attempts were made to stop the vehicle, resulting in the vehicle becoming inoperable, the release states. Once stopped, the man left the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit the suspect was apprehended by Hamilton County deputies and taken into custody, according to the release. Authorities identified the man as 34-year-old Randal Keeton of Georgia.
Deputies also identified a female juvenile passenger who was taken to a local medical facility for observation to make sure there were no serious injuries.
A loaded handgun was recovered from the driver's side floorboard of the vehicle, along with approximately 100 rounds of ammunition, authorities said, along with several syringes.
Keeton was turned over to the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Catoosa County Jail on suspicion of reckless driving, evading arrest, kidnapping, child abuse, reckless endangerment and other offenses.
- Compiled by Jody Park
This photo shows the damage done to a suspects vehicle during a vehicle pursuit that began in the Hamilton Place mall area and ended with the suspect's arrest by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies in Catoosa County, Georgia. / Photo contributed by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
This photo shows the damage done to a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies vehicle during a vehicle pursuit that began in the Hamilton Place mall area and ended with the suspect's arrest in Catoosa County, Georgia. / Photo contributed by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office