by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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‘Deja vu?’
Gilmer County Sheriff’s deputies found the above scene last Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 1, after arresting two people on drug and firearms charges. The arrests came after a brief chase in cars and on foot. One officer said, “They should have read the paper a little closer. The bad guys always get caught.” The headline reads “Cocaine dealer shut down.
Contributed photo
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Gilmer County Sheriff’s deputies were faced with a dilemma last Tuesday, Feb. 1, when the suspect they were chasing decided to conceal potential evidence – by swallowing it. The evidence was the drug methamphetamine, and the result could have been death for the perpetrator if not for the quick action by law enforcement officers and medical workers.
According to a statement released by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Kyle Armstrong attempted to stop a vehicle occupied by two males on Old Hwy. 5 South near the Pickens County line. The suspects turned left on Whitestone Road and stopped.
When the deputy approached the vehicle, he observed suspicious behavior from the driver and the passenger and requested assistance from other officers. Once support arrived, Armstrong again approached the vehicle when the driver turned the wheels and moved the vehicle forward, striking the officer.
Armstrong was not injured and a chase ensued. Deputies pursued the perpetrators south on Whitestone Road crossing Hwy. 515. Once the fugitives were on South Whitestone Road, they abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot.
Deputies gave chase on foot and apprehended the two suspects, Jack Michael Roger, 21, of Ellijay, and Aaron Gregg Channing, 22, of Marietta.
After the suspects were taken into custody, Rogers began to show signs of erratic behavior, and when asked if he had a problem, he said he had swallowed about an ounce and a half of crystal methamphetamine, which is a more pure form of the drug than regular methamphetamine.
Emergency medical workers were called to the scene to check Rogers’ condition. When they arrived they found him exhibiting signs of a drug overdose. He was transported to North Georgia Medical Center in Ellijay and then to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga by LifeForce helicopter. He is expected to make a full recovery.
A pistol was recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.
Both Rogers and Channing were each charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, felony obstruction, felony Violation of Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In addition, Rogers will be charged with numerous traffic citations and Channing also faces a felony false statement charge.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said, “The deputies and detectives did a fine job with regards to this case. With these arrests, dangerous drugs and weapons have been taken off the roads of Gilmer County.”