An officer from the Barrow County Sheriffs office was conducting a business check near Patrick Industrial Park Jan.
9 when he noticed an older model truck drive into the business center and begin circling different buildings.
The officer noticed two white males in the cab and both were not wearing seat belts.
There had been a high number of recent thefts in that particular business park so because of this and the fact the men were not wearing seat belts the officer initiated a traffic stop, but before he could radio in the truck began driving away at a high rate of speed.
The driver, later identified as Matt McCallister, began traveling down Patrick Industrial Drive and turned onto Kilcrease Road ignoring a stop sign.
The officer relayed information to dispatch that he was in pursuit of the vehicle and that the driver was weaving into oncoming traffic while traveling down Kennedy Sells Road.
As the driver began hitting his brakes the officer informed dispatch that he believed the subjects were about to flee on foot. He was right.
McCallister and his passenger, Johnny Brown, threw their doors open and attempted to flee the scene.
McCallister ran into the nearby woods but before Brown could leave the vehicle, the officer had already intercepted him with his weapon drawn.
Brown was apprehended and immediately began giving false information to police.
Other officers arrived on scene while Brown was being questioned.
At first Brown denied knowing the driver, but that the truck was his.
After being asked to tell the truth, Brown admitted he knew the driver but not well, and that he was just giving him a ride to Gwinnett County, but he was bad with directions so he let McCallister drive.
After being asked why the two men were in the industrial park, Brown told officers that they were simply looking for a place for McCallister to relieve himself.
Officers then asked why they had found tools, gloves and flashlights in the vehicle but Brown had no response to this question.
Brown said he told McCallister to stop the vehicle and that he didn’t know why he was being arrested.
The tools, knives and flashlights were taken into evidence and a tow company was called to pick up the truck.
Brown was placed under arrest for prowling and obstruction.
After booking Brown into the Detention Center the responding officer was able to give a complete description of the driver and ran his name through the system for existing warrants.
McCallister had existing warrants on GCIC and would also have new warrants for his arrest for driving with a suspended license, fleeing, reckless driving, obstruction of an officer and prowling.
