Man caught after running from license check

March 28, 2008

By Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Fri Mar 28, 2008, 11:05 PM EDT

THOMASVILLE — Edgar Jerome Johnson Jr. had more than one good reason for avoiding a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office license check on Magnolia Road.

Johnson had no driver’s license. According to lawmen, he had cocaine with him. He also was behind on child support payments.

There’s more.

Johnson was on probation for a cocaine possession conviction, was in contempt of court on child support payments and had twice failed to appear in court to answer to suspended license charges.

The 29-year-old suspect, 559 Hidden Acres, has a new address: Thomas County Jail, 921 Smith Ave. Johnson was denied bond.

Deputies saw a southbound cream-colored Chevrolet Impala approach the license checkpoint, then stop, back up and head north.

A deputy followed the car in an attempt to stop it.

“The driver refused to stop and tried to elude officers,” said Kevin Lee, commander of the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division.

The 1982 Chevy stopped at Pinewood Drive, where Johnson, the driver, got out and ran.

A deputy apprehended Johnson, and two passengers were removed from the car, which was searched by the Thomasville Police Department canine unit.

Crack cocaine was found on the driver’s seat.

“There were outstanding warrants for his arrest already,” Lee explained.

Johnson is charged with:

• Fleeing or attempting to elude

• Cocaine possession

• Two counts of violating a contempt order on child support

• Failure to maintain lane

• Driving while license suspended/revoked

• Probation violation for cocaine possession

• Two counts of failure to appear on suspended license.

• Improper backing

• No liability insurance

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.