High-speed chase called off in Douglasville due to dangers

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. - Douglasville Police called off a high-speed chase after speeds reached over a hundred miles an hour.

Over the past two and half weeks, Douglasville has had five cases of people sliding into cars at gas stations and stealing purses. Officers almost caught them on Sunday, but police said it was just too dangerous to continue the pursuit.

Surveillance cameras captured a woman pumping gas at the Murphy USA gas station on Thornton Road. She doesn't even see that while she is starting the pump someone had entered her passenger side door and stole her purse.

Just an hour later, the same car, same thing at a gas station on Highway 5.

"It only takes between about ten seconds to get in and out of the car and they take off," said Major J.R. Davidson.

The major said this exact same thing has happened five times since January 27.

"The suspects have been in different vehicles. We believe it's going to be the same people coming to Douglasville from somewhere in the Atlanta community, same crime in different vehicles," said Major Davidson.

Sunday, Douglasville Police almost had them caught when an officer spotted the suspected vehicle and a chase ensued in the rainy conditions. At one point, the officer is about to attempt a PIT maneuver, but the officer backed off.

"He realized there were cars parked on the side of the road and construction. And would have put too many people in danger," the major said.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office provided support for the chase that went on for several minutes before Douglasville decided to call it off.

"This is a property crime. We wanted to try to catch them. We did everything we could, but then realized it was too dangerous for everybody on the road," said Davidson.

Major Davidson said it was the right call, and that they will catch the suspects another day. As for the public, he offers this advice.

"Whenever you are pumping gas, you should keep your doors locked. You shouldn't keep purses, or valuable on the seats that are visible, just like you wouldn't if you were at a shopping center," said Major Davidson.

Anyone with information on the suspect vehicle is asked to call the police.