High speed pursuit and manhunt end with three arrests
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a deputy with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a 2004 Toyota pickup traveling at a high rate of speed (89 mph in a 70-mph zone) on Interstate 75 at the 39 Mile Marker Northbound.
The driver failed to stop for the deputy and continued northbound in an attempt to flee from the deputy. The pursuit reached speeds up to 105 mph, according to a felony fleeing and attempting to elude warrant. The vehicle exited the Interstate at Exit 45, but was traveling at a speed that he could not safely negotiate the exit and crashed at the top.
The driver and the front seat passenger both fled from the vehicle into the surrounding wooded area. They climbed a fence and ran into the woods, according to obstruction warrants.
A perimeter was established, and K-9 tracking dogs from the Cook County and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Offices responded to the scene to assist in the search. A helicopter from the Georgia State Patrol aviation unit would soon join the search.
Despite the best efforts of law enforcement engaged in the search, the subjects were not apprehended that evening.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the search was begun again in earnest when one of the fleeing individuals was spotted several miles south of the original crash site.
A perimeter was established, and K-9s from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office returned to assist and through inclement weather succeeded in capturing one of the offenders who was identified as Jerimiah J. Nelson, 20, of Brownsville, Tennessee. It is believed that Nelson was the front seat passenger in the crashed vehicle. Officers succeeded in pursuing Nelson out of the woods. Upon being located, Nelson surrendered without further incident, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Nelson was charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (a small bag of suspected cocaine), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (a Glock pistol and a 22 LR rifle), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (convicted of burglary, auto in Tipton County, Tenn.), theft by receiving stolen property – felony (the stolen Glock 27 .40-caliber handgun), and obstruction of an officer.
On Dec. 2, Cook County Magistrate Judge Ronnie Fender set bond for Nelson at $30,000 (property). According to court records, the accused is not employed and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.
The crashed pickup’s driver was identified as William Luke Reed, 26, of Stanton, Tennessee.
Sheriff’s Office personnel remained in the area of the west side of Interstate 75, between the 41 and 45 Mile Markers, searching for Reed. K-9s tracked Reed for six to seven miles, according to officers. A witness spotted Reed in the area of Charlie Holt Crossing and he ran off into the woods. Officers concentrated their search in that area, and he was arrested without further incident.
William Luke Reed was charged with fleeing from or attempting to elude an officer – felony, illegal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (convicted of burglary, auto in Tipton County, Tenn.), speeding, theft by receiving stolen property – felony, and obstruction of an officer.
On Dec. 2, Judge Fender set bond at $39,000 (property). According to court records, the accused has been employed and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.
The vehicle that both offenders fled from was also occupied by Scott Edward Reed, 50, of Stanton, Tennessee, at the time of the crash. Scott Reed remained at the scene, and was taken into custody and transported to the Cook County Jail at the time of the accident. Scott Reed is William Reed’s father.
Scott Reed has been charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (convicted of possession of methadone in Sebastian County, Arkansas), and theft by receiving stolen property – felony.
On Dec. 2, Judge Fender set bond at $28,000 (property). According to court records, the accused is not employed and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a handgun that had been reported stolen in Orange County, Florida, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Charges against the defendants are pending in the Florida jurisdiction. The local search also revealed a second firearm and a quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and digital scales.
The local case against the three defendants is pending in Cook County Superior Court.
