Hiawassee manhunt leads to four arrests, recovery of stolen firearms

Arrest Reports, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Wednesday, Aug. 22, Towns County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist Hiawassee Police Department following a traffic stop at Chatuge Lodge, after two suspects exited a vehicle they were occupying, and fled on foot. Law enforcement officers established a perimeter in the area, and a sheriff’s bloodhound was deployed on scene in an attempt to locate the fleeing subjects. The suspects were not apprehended at that time.

The following day, Aug. 23, Towns County 911 received a call pertaining to two subjects fitting the description in the vicinity of Pioneer Trail, located off Highway 75 North. A responding deputy spotted the two suspects, whom proceeded to flee on foot. Additional law enforcement officers arrived on scene, and established a perimeter. A female subject was discovered hiding near a residential area, and was taken into custody without incident.Hiawassee manhunt

A CodeRed 911 alert call was dispatched to residents in the area, advising citizens to be on the lookout for the second suspect.

The male suspect, Shaun Ewing, 36, of Hiawassee, was spotted shortly thereafter on Upper Bell Creek Road. Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hiawassee Police Department officers continued the search throughout the night, and into the following morning.

On the morning of Friday, Aug. 24, a tip was received that Ewing was at a location off of Highway 75 North. Law enforcement officers responded on scene, taking the suspect into custody without further incident. A second CodeRed alert was activated, alerting area residents that the manhunt had concluded due to the suspect’s arrest.

Towns County Sheriff's Office

K-9 Unit searching the Upper Bell Creek area

The suspects have been linked to an ongoing investigation by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office related to a burglary that was reported on Aug. 15, at a residence off of Fodder Creek Road. A victim reported that numerous firearms, along with other items, had been stolen.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators teamed with officers from the Hiawassee Police Department to execute a search warrant at a residence on Kontahetta Way in Hiawassee.

Deputies arrested James Robert Gregory, 38, seizing items that had been stolen during the burglary, along with a quantity of methamphetamine.

On Friday, Aug. 24, law enforcement officers recovered additional firearms and items from a location off of Swallow Creek Road that had been reported as stolen from the Fodder Creek residence.

Hiawassee Police Department arrested and charged Bobbie LeAnn Saxon, 37, of Hiawassee, with the following offenses:

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • One Count Fleeing and Attempting to Elude
  • One Count Failure to Maintain Lane
  • One Count No Seat Belt
  • One Count Possession of Drug-Related Objects

Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrested the following suspects:

  • Sandi Pate, 29, of Hiawassee — Probation Violation Warrant
  • Shaun Keith Ewing, 36, of Hiawassee —- Probation Violation Warrant
  • James Robert Gregory, 38, of Hiawassee — One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine

According to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into the burglary is considered active and ongoing, and additional charges are forthcoming.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office extends their appreciation to the following agencies for their assistance in the search and apprehension of the suspects:   Hiawassee Police Department, Georgia Wildlife Resources Department, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Towns County 911, Towns County Fire and Rescue, along with the residents in the area of Upper Bell Creek.

 

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1 Comment

  1. Any Hamilton August 28, 2018 at 10:51 pm

    Small town big news.

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