Two teenagers from Chattanooga were arrested Tuesday after taking law enforcement on a high speed chase through Whitfield County and a third was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he fled on foot and was hiding for nearly 24 hours.
About 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Georgia State Patrol told local law enforcement in Whitfield County to look out for a 2017 Audi Q5 driving south on Interstate 75.
A trooper with the state patrol found such a car going 87 mph on the Interstate and tried to pull it over. The driver, 18-year-old Laderron Freeman, then took off and the trooper pursued, authorities said.
The driver got off at exit 315 and turned around and headed north on I-75. He then got off at exit 328 and headed east on Highway 52 and sideswiped several vehicles before crashing the Audi on the side of the road near a barrier, police said.
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Three people in the car took off and tried to escape on foot. Officers arrested Freeman and 17-year-old Martinez Emmanuel Billups from Chattanooga immediately but a third person got away.
Several agencies were involved in the chase that also included a helicopter. The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, the Georgia State Patrol and the state's SWAT and Aviation teams assisted in the call.
Photo contributed by Whitfield County Sheriffs Office / Laderron FreemanOn Wednesday afternoon, police arrested a 16-year-old boy suspected of being the third occupant of the vehicle, and he was taken into custody.
Freeman and Billups are in jail in Whitfield County. Freeman is being charged with stealing the Audi, which officials say was reported stolen sometime between Monday and Tuesday. He's also being charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude, speeding, reckless driving and other traffic charges.
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Billups is being charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a firearm during a commission of a felony.
The 16-year-old is being charged with the same as Billups, as well as obstruction.
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Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.
Photo contributed by Whitfield County Sheriffs Office / Martinez Emmanuel Billups