Law enforcement searching for man who fled from traffic stop in Shiloh
LIVE NOW
- Atlanta man arrested after multi-county pursuit; FLOCK camera alert and thermal drone imaging led to capture in wooded area.
- Suspect Alan Starling charged with fleeing police, reckless driving, theft of stolen vehicle, and aggravated assault.
A FLOCK camera alert led to the arrest of an Atlanta man following a multi-county pursuit and hours-long search involving multiple law enforcement agencies. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, deputies received a FLOCK camera alert for a vehicle reported stolen out of Atlanta. Deputies located the vehicle in Pine Mountain and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver reportedly fled from deputies and nearly struck a Pine Mountain Police Department officer during the initial attempt to stop the vehicle. A pursuit then continued through Harris, Meriwether and Talbot counties before the suspect crashed on Highway 190 in Talbot County. The suspect reportedly fled the crash scene on foot and entered a wooded area. The Georgia State Patrol responded to the crash, while multiple agencies assisted with an extensive search of the surrounding area. A K-9 team was also utilized, but the suspect was not located that morning. At approximately 12:35 p.m., the Harris County 911 Center received a report of a suspicious person in the Shiloh area near Highway 85 and Trammell Mill Road. The individual reportedly matched the description of the suspect involved in the earlier pursuit. The Shiloh Police Department responded and helped establish a perimeter while directing responding law enforcement units throughout the area. After hours of searching, law enforcement deployed a drone equipped with FLIR thermal imaging technology. Within minutes, a heat signature was detected in a heavily wooded area. Responding officers located the suspect hiding in thick brush and took him into custody without incident. The suspect was identified as Alan Starling of Atlanta, Georgia. Starling was charged with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, and Theft by Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Felony). The Pine Mountain Police Department is also pursuing an additional charge of Aggravated Assault related to the suspect allegedly nearly striking an officer during the initial traffic stop. The Harris County Sheriff's Office thanked the Shiloh Police Department, Meriwether County Sheriff's Office, Talbot County Sheriff's Office, Pine Mountain Police Department, Hamilton Police Department, Waverly Hall Police Department, Columbus Police Department K-9 and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance.
Residents in the Shiloh area are being urged to lock their doors and use caution as law enforcement continues searching for a wanted felony suspect who fled into a wooded area Tuesday afternoon. Shiloh Police Chief Wayne Cato said the law enforcement activity near Highway 85 and Trammell Mill Road began after authorities received a call at approximately 12:50 p.m. regarding a suspicious subject who matched the description of a suspect who had reportedly fled from Harris County earlier Tuesday morning in a stolen vehicle. According to Cato, the stolen vehicle was involved in a crash, and officers later encountered a subject matching the suspect's description in the Shiloh area. Cato said he attempted to take the subject into custody, but the suspect fled into the woods. Law enforcement was able to locate the suspect approximately an hour later, but the suspect again fled into an area of extremely dense vegetation. Multiple agencies assisted in the search, including a K9 team from the Columbus Police Department, a drone from the Warm Springs Police Department and a helicopter from the Georgia State Patrol. Officers from Harris, Talbot and Meriwether counties also assisted. Despite approximately five hours of searching, authorities were unable to locate the suspect. Cato said the suspect is no longer wearing the cream-colored shirt with a horizontal black stripe that was previously included in his description. He is believed to be wearing a black undershirt or may have no shirt on at all. Residents are asked to lock their doors and call 911 immediately if they see anyone matching the suspect's description. Authorities are warning residents not to approach or attempt to make contact with the suspect, as he is wanted on felony charges. Cato thanked the agencies and officers who assisted with the search.
Residents in the Shiloh area may notice an increased law enforcement presence Tuesday afternoon as the Harris County Sheriff’s Department searches for a suspect who reportedly ran from a traffic stop.
According to authorities, deputies are searching in the area of Highway 85 and Trammell Mill Road near Shiloh for a male subject who fled from the traffic stop.
The suspect is described as a Black male wearing black pants, a cream-colored shirt with a horizontal black stripe, and no shoes.
Authorities are asking residents to remain alert and not approach the suspect if he is spotted.
Anyone who sees someone matching the description or has information about his whereabouts is urged to dial 911 immediately and provide the location and any available information to responding authorities.
This is an active law enforcement search, and residents are encouraged to use caution while in the area.
Related stories
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police searching for missing 42-year-old woman last seen in September
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police searching for 23-year-old man
Crime & SafetyLanett police searching for missing 13-year-old boy
Crime & SafetyMISSING: LaGrange police searching for missing woman
Crime & SafetyBREAKING: Heavy law enforcement presence in Beulah; crime scene tape up along Lee Road 379