THOMASVILLE — A Post 12 Georgia State Patrol trooper was running radar late Saturday night when he spotted a northbound vehicle with no lights. 

The trooper attempted to stop the Dodge truck, which turned right onto Cindy Drive about a mile south of Thomasville.  

“The trooper tried a PIT (pursuit intervention technique) maneuver, but it didn’t work,” said Sgt. Russ Covington, Post 12 assistant commander.

The driver, Derrick Jermaine Rembert, 34, 1053 Wellborn Road, Lithonia, traveled onto private residential property, drove through the yard and into an area behind the house.

“He finally drove into woods and had to stop,” Covington said.

Rembert was hemmed in by trees, with the trooper’s vehicle behind him. He and a passenger, who eventually was released, were removed from the truck.

The suspect is charged with driving without headlights, misdemeanor marijuana possession, driving while license suspended/revoked, driving vehicle when registration is suspended/revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and taillight required.

Rembert also is charged with theft by taking in connection with a warrant issued in 2018. The warrant states the suspect stole metal doors and beds.

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