Austin

THOMASVILLE — An 18-year-old Thomasville man who fled into Florida in a stolen vehicle was captured in downtown Thomasville Thursday morning.

On Wednesday night, city police responded to a domestic situation involving Azende Manearious Austin, who fled and became the subject of a search by police.

According to reports, at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the suspect was at a convenience store on U.S. 19 South.

“A customer goes in the store and leaves keys in the car and the car running,” said Sgt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division assistant commander.

The stolen white Hyundai Sonata, equipped with a GPS device, wrecked in the store parking lot. Through the GPS device, the vehicle’s location was known. 

“It was found in Tallahassee,” Knifer said.

Tallahassee police and Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputies pursued the vehicle, which traveled back into Georgia and fled from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

After returning to the city, the car became disabled when it traveled over spike strips placed by sheriff’s office personnel. Knifer said Austin ran and hid in a building off West Jackson Street near railroad tracks.

On Thursday morning, a resident called police and reported a suspicious person on railroad tracks. Police responded, and Austin ran again, Knifer said.

He was found about 8:30 a.m. Thursday between Flowers Baking Co. and the bakery store off South Madison Street.

Austin, 407 Peach St., is charged with motor vehicle theft, eluding, and damaged property in connection with the Wednesday night domestic violence incident.

Pending arraignment, he is being held in the Thomas County Jail.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820