Sylvester police seek suspect in Wednesday incident that injured officer

SYLVESTER – A shoplifting suspect who fled a Sylvester Wal-Mart on Wednesday injured a police officer as she fled the scene and then led officers on a chase into Dougherty County.

Police broke off the chase and let the female suspect escape because there was a child in the car, Sylvester Police Chief Ronald Jackson said. The chief identified the suspect as an Albany resident and said that arrest warrants would be taken on felony shoplifting and other charges.

Some of those other charges will be more severe as the driver reportedly attempted to strike multiple police officers with the car.

“They were trying to talk to her at the Wal-Mart,” Jackson said. “It escalated when she tried to run over three police officers. One, a captain, was injured. I think he was trying to get the vehicle stopped.”

The officer was having tests to determine the extent of the injuries, the chief said.

The suspect apparently had made multiple trips to the store in the past.

“We reviewed (store) video, and on Aug. 24, she had stolen a bunch of merchandise,” Jackson said.

Ultimately, the chase was halted due to the risk.

“We canceled the chase between Dawson and Albany,” he said. “We’re in the process of taking warrants.”

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