Robbery suspect dies fleeing authorities

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Tuesday, December 22. 2009
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A suspect in an armed robbery is dead after a police pursuit ended in a fatal crash on Hwy. 11 near Bethlehem Church Road in Barrow County.

Chief Deputy Bruce Wright of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Durwin Schofield, 41, of Winder, robbed the Dollar General Store on Hwy. 138 in Monroe at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after the 911 call, a Walton County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect fled. A City of Monroe police officer joined the chase a short time later.

As the pursuit neared the Barrow County line, a trooper with the Georgia State Patrol became the lead chase car.

Lt. Paul Cosper of the Georgia State Patrol said the trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

“Mr. Schofield made a conscious decision to flee,” Cosper said. “He should’ve pulled over.”

Two miles inside Barrow County, the trooper used the pit maneuver in an attempt to stop the suspect. The suspect vehicle subsequently ran off the road and struck a tree ejecting the driver. Schofield was taken to an area hospital where he died.

Wright said no one was injured in the robbery.

“This is one time when you can say no innocent bystander was injured in the robbery or the accident,” he said.

Capt. William Simmons of the Hoschton Police Department said Monday that Schofield is believed to be the perpetrator of a Saturday evening robbery of the Dollar General store in Hoschton.

An employee at the Ga. Hwy. 53 store said a white male about 43 years old approached the register demanding money, according to an incident report. The suspect said he had a magnum gun, but indicated he did not want to hurt anyone. No witnesses saw the weapon.

The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Jackson County deputies and Hoschton Police were unsuccessful in their attempts to locate the suspect.

Schofield is also believed to be the perpetrator in the Dec. 16 robbery of the Dollar General store in Bethlehem. Barrow County investigators are working diligently to further confirm his identity through testimony, physical evidence, and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.

Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is handling the crash investigation.

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#1 Anonymous on 12/20/09 at 07:13 PM [Reply]
Score one for the Cops. It's sad that the suspected robber had to die. No amount of money is worth your life.

I also hate to say this, but I'd be willing to bet, the economy and the approaching holidays played a hand in the decision to do something stupid.
#1.1 Anonymous on 12/20/09 at 09:51 PM [Reply]
Way to go GSP. Economy,holidays.....or just a idiot that wanted money they did not deserve, one less criminal to worry about!
#1.2 God is Good on 12/22/09 at 07:56 AM [Reply]
Yes he was a good guy, but times are really getting hard for people. But the only answer we have is God!! Everyone with all the negative comments need to search your own closet before judging. There is only one judge and that is Jesus Christ!! I hope his family has peace and a wonderful holiday season! So sorry for their loss.
#1.2.1 Guess who on 12/24/09 at 12:51 AM [Reply]
Thank you so very much from the Schofield family. Merry Christmas to you. Yes Jesus Christ is the ultimate judge and one day we will all stand in front of him. My brother is the one that is fortunate he got to go home and have peace from this so- called world we live in.
#2 anonymous on 12/21/09 at 12:32 PM [Reply]
Could this have been related to the burglary at the Dollar General in Bethlehem?
#2.1 Kristi Reed on 12/21/09 at 12:44 PM [Reply]
Authorities are currently working to determine if the incidents are related. Check back later for further updates.
#2.2 or on 12/21/09 at 12:52 PM [Reply]
or the Dollar General robbery in Hoschton?
#2.3 Anonymous on 12/21/09 at 01:04 PM [Reply]
or the Dollar General in Winder?
#3 Anonymous on 12/21/09 at 06:00 PM [Reply]
I agree that "no amount of money is worth your life." By the same logic, no amount of money justifies the loss of life.

Mr. Scofield's decision to 'run' was a serious mistake - one that put law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders at risk. I am thankful that no one else was injured or killed. I would have preferred that he was apprehended safely, and held accountable for whatever mistake or mistakes he made in a court of law, even if it was "cheaper" this way.

It's my understanding that this is the same man whose photograph was once in his hometown paper, showing him taking food to those in need. I don't know his circumstances, what all he did good and bad in his 41 years of life, why he fled, or whether he was the one responsible for this robbery or others. I do know that he was a man with a family, and that they are suffering his loss, and would have prevented this if they could. They don't deserve to see comments cheering his death.

This man made the mistake of running instead of surrendering, and he paid for it with his life. The police are out there to protect the public and to see that people are judged in a court of law and held accountable for their actions. While I am sure that they are glad to have stopped this before someone else was hurt, I highly doubt that they are celebrating this man's death. My Dad was a police officer for decades, and I can assure you that he wouldn't consider this a "score." I only hope that the officers involved and Mr. Scofield's family can find some peace, and that people will think about what they're saying - these are real people, not characters on some TV show.
#3.1 true on 12/21/09 at 08:36 PM [Reply]
What you say is true, but in Hoschton, people are all up in arms over crime in our area & lack of funds for a police department, so some see this as a victory. It is sad that he did this and perished in the process. I am sad for his family too. It is tempting to exploit this crime for political reasons, but it should not be done. They got the "bad guy" that is thier job, but the family now has to live with the aftermath. Let's move on & deal with the real issues at hand in Hoschton. Please.
#4 Anonymous on 12/21/09 at 09:50 PM [Reply]
I DONT KNOW WHO YOU PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE..YOU DONT KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT HIM. HE ISNT A BAD GUY AT ALL..SO ALL OF YOU CAN SHUT UP.. HIS FAMILY KNOWS WHAT KIND OF PERSON HE WAS..A GREAT ONE..I THANK THE PERSON VERY MUCH THAT SAID YOU SHOULDNT CHEER HIS DEATH. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON THAT WILL BE MISSED.. HE WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE LOVED VERY MUCH..THANKS! AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH YOUR TIME!!
#4.1 Anonymous on 12/02/10 at 02:43 PM [Reply]
u know ,myself and another employee was robbed by this man,so yes in our eyes he is considered a "bad guy"
#5 steve on 12/21/09 at 10:30 PM [Reply]
I hate to see anyone die but i don't have any pitty for a theif there are other ways to get money not by robbing people.At least out tax dollars don't have to support him in jail
#6 Lets not forget on 12/21/09 at 11:49 PM [Reply]
HE made the choice to rob a store. HE made the choice to flee from police. It's all on him! I feel sorrow from the family but hey, like John Wayne said " life is hard, its harder if your stupid"!
At least my tax bill won't go up while he awaits trial and defended by a tax payed public defender! Just to get probation.
Just maybe if the employees of the store had been armed this would have ended alot shorter. Every person has a RIGHT to protect them selfs.
In this world its time to take the responsibily for you and your familys safety.
#7 Ohh on 12/22/09 at 12:19 AM [Reply]
Yea I really feel for the perp.Not!
How about the store empoyees that night? Kathy from Little Hooties was the one robbed by some one threating her w a gun. She was trying to make few extra dollars to support her family. Some THUG walks in .Says he has a gun and threathens to kill her.
He lived that life, let him die that like that!
It is NOT okay to rob or steal .The THUG got what wanted and he payed for it, no sorrow here.Thank God all the workers are safe! As far as the THUG goes, I ain'tgonna lose any sleep.The worlds a better place with out him. Maybe one day when some one sticksa gun in your face you will feel diffrent? Till then have fun in La-La land.
#8 Anonymous on 12/22/09 at 09:45 AM [Reply]
all of you can go to hell..you dont know about him..not a thug at all.. get a life and worry about yourself..he didnt treaten to kill anyone..until you know a person keep ya mouth shut..
#8.1 Whiskey Pete on 12/22/09 at 11:50 AM [Reply]
Nice language,,spoken like a true thug.
he might not have lived the life of a thug....he sure died like one.
And that is how he will be remembered.
#9 debbie brice on 12/23/09 at 12:19 AM [Reply]
the person that you are talking about is my baby brother he was a kind hearted sweet brother who we love very very much now we have lost him and will never see him again my mother is devestatd please have some respect for our family mybrother lost his life he would never hurt anyone and was the wrong man to chase the discription is not even like my brothers try to show some compasion if you have any in you
#9.1 Barrow Citizen on 12/23/09 at 09:13 PM [Reply]
My condolances to your family. No matter the resaon for your family members passing, it is still a very sad time & I'm sorry for your loss.
#9.2 Patsy Wiley on 01/09/10 at 05:03 PM [Reply]
debbie - I just heard about Durwin today and my heart is breaking. I am not going to talk about the right or wrong, or whether he did this or not. I remember him as my son's (Kenny) best friend when they were little. He spent many nights in my home and I have nothing but good memories of him. Such a sweet cute, little boy. I have not seen him in many years but he was loved. Tell your mother she is in my prayers. For everyone else, be careful of what you say "there but for the grace of God, go you"
#10 debbie brice on 12/23/09 at 12:36 AM [Reply]
The person you are speaking about,is my baby brother,who was very kind hearted and loved very much..Please have respect for the Family,the dirscription of the person who did the Robbery does not even fit that of my brother.
He was killed and we will never see him agian,becouse he should have pulled over and spoke with the police.
Please have respec for the family,if you have any in you.
#11 You are right on 12/23/09 at 02:07 AM [Reply]
You are right, I did not know him. Maybe he took cookies to starving children in africa? Who knows?

I DO know who he robbed, one of the finest people in Hoschton. As well as many other stores. This guy is no Robbin Hood! He is a thief and died that way. Good bye you S.O.B., he got his in the end. But it was his choice.
Or maybe get a job at Mc Donalds? That would have worked out better?But Oh no that would be work.
And Please, who ever takes his side please don't use all CAPS!No need to yell on apublic forum. Thanks :o)
#12 Anonymous on 12/23/09 at 07:18 AM [Reply]
I can see how reading these comments would be hurtful to the perp's family. Of course they are hurting. They are dealing with his senseless loss.

But the fact remains that this man fled police. And not just one officer. He had multiple officers chasing him and he still didn't stop.

For those who say he wasn't fleeing because he had commited the robbery in Monroe and that the robber didn't fit his description.....did he have unexplained cash on him when he wrecked? And since he is also accused of robbing other Dollar General stores, if those robberies stop, then I think we have our answer.
#13 miami motorcycle rentals on 12/24/09 at 03:37 AM [Reply]
Modern world sometimes amazes me in a negative way. People are stealing from another and this is not going to change soon.
#13.1 henry guy on 01/04/10 at 12:16 AM [Reply]
i dont want to put anymore negative thoughts or feelings out here on this subject,theres been enough said from all sides.Not trying to take up for either side and im not going to lie i did know the so called perpotrator and he was a good friend of mine.No matter what is said or done you cant bring someone back once there gone.I have to say im sorry for all the robbery suspects im sure it was a scary ordeal,and i am also sorry for the loss of my friend. You know, no you dont and now nobody ever will because he took the answers with him when he left this world.My friend was a good hearted man and would do anything for anybody at anytime,if you were down or unhappy he could always bring your spirits back up his heart overflowed to everyone he met.Im not saying he was perfect cause the lord knows we are all far from that.This is what i have to say about the whole ordeal,im glad noone else was hurt or lost there life in these events ,and i definately cant see him robbing or threatening anyone.Yeah i know he fled and thats wrong,he endangered others and i wish i knew why thats just not him.There had to be other things or influences in his life to bring this chain of events,i wish i could of been there for him and maybe of helped him through his troublesome times.I dont really know what happened other than i lost my friend and i will really miss him.Life takes us all different paths so you may not be there when a lovedone needs you;therefore tell them that you love them everytime you see them.Some traggic events took place in this mans life and only god knows why.I find it funny how the stores want comment and what good are video cameras for if your not going to use them.Well i wish i knew more about the situation,theres to much kept in the dark.I will truly miss you , and all the great times we spent together over the years ,you truly were a great friend.You will always be in my heart, on my mind and your family in my prayers.I love you brother,may your soul rest in peace for oneday we will meet again. G S C
#14 ..... on 12/24/09 at 06:53 AM [Reply]
I never leave comments on here, but it's truly amazing to me how people talk these days. Serioulsy, use proper grammar. And by the way, sorry to the guy who died, he put himself in the position. Thanks GSP. Another selfish low-life off the road.
#15 ugot2bkiddin on 12/24/09 at 06:31 PM [Reply]
If your baby brother was so kind hearted, would he have robbed a store??? and wouldn't have hurt anyone??? ok....I think I am missing something here......give me a break!!!
nobody deserves any respect doing this kind of horrible acts even if it does cost them their life.... they chose to do this, why should we feel sorry for them?????
#16 Oxford Gal on 12/27/09 at 08:37 AM [Reply]
Some of you are missing a very important point. While alluding the police was a stupid decision....so was chasing after him. No amount of money is worth life and limb adn that goes for the allege perp as well.

If the high speed chase had invovled the death of passerbys( some chases do) you all would be singing a different tune. Is Dollar General's money so important that people lives should be put at risk ?.. the police mens lives, passer bys and yes, even the allege perp .... Was Dollar General's money worth the all this sorrow ?

Far to many of you are so punitive....there are places in the middle east that have this rigid mentality and lack the understanding and compassion for the forces that drive good people to do bad things.I don't know this man, but I do know that most people are good but can do terrible things.Reagardless of ones views about law and order...the simple fact remains that loss of life should never be celebrated.

And yes, I've been a victim of a crime myself.I had my whole livelihood car jacked from me...truck, equipment and tools,etc...While I'm angry that my perps were never caught...I would have felt worse if someone had died in the pursuit of my stuff. Yes, my stuff...that's all it is stuff. And as a cancer survivor I've been fortunate to see that physical possessions at some point in time are meaningless when compared to the irreplaceables in life.
#16.1 Oxford Guy on 12/27/09 at 01:05 PM [Reply]
You're missing a very important point. If the police stop chasing those who victimize others it sends a very clear message to the criminal. Dont want a ticket? Just run. They wont chase. Got caught shoplifting? Just run, they wont chase. Just broke into your house and raped your daughter? Just run, they wont chase. I will be free to do it again tomorrow...

The police should always chase the bad guy. That also sends a message. You run, and that makes it worse. Someone gets killed during the chase? A murder charge for the criminal who chose to flee. The criminal dies during the chase? Hate it. He chose to flee.


Its not about money, its about whats right and wrong. Its also about how much we are willing to let criminals victimize other people before we lift a finger to stop them.
#16.2 Winder Guy on 12/27/09 at 01:45 PM [Reply]
Well lets just let all the perps go free when they run. That will really teach them that they should not rob people. You have the answer to the crime problem. I just wish we had heard from you earlier and all crime would be gone by today. Thank you for the education! Please go help the President with Health Care now. I am sure you are needed else where.
#17 yep that's right on 01/12/10 at 06:43 PM [Reply]
This horse is beat to death! Please just remember one thing, the family of this guy hasn't done anything wrong. Yes, getting on a public forum trying to defend his actions is very stupid. I'm sure they know that now.
However, they have been through alot with this whole nightmare i'm sure of that.
As for him, he chose to do what he did. He paid a price for it. Thank god the law enforcement he lead on the high speed chase or innocent bystanders were not injured as a direct result of his actions.
As for not chasing criminals any more. Really, think about that for a minute. There would be total disruption of the current lifesyle we are so used to. I don't think you really thought that one out too much.
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