Wild Scene Ends in Four Arrests in Young Harris

Towns County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On Wednesday, December 7th, a Towns County resident reported that he was purchasing a Kubota Excavator from an individual valued at $23,000. He became concerned the equipment might be stolen.

Sheriff’s Investigators initiated an investigation and determined the equipment was a rental out of Tennessee.

Wednesday evening, a sting was set up to purchase the equipment. The transaction was made by an undercover Towns County Investigator after which the individuals attempted to flee and attempted to run over one of our Deputies. A felony pursuit began on Highway 17/76 toward Young Harris and continued for two and a half miles where speeds did not exceed 60 mph. During the pursuit, the suspect attempted to ram our patrol units. We are very fortunate one of our officers was not seriously injured or killed as one of the suspects, wearing an ankle monitor, was out on bond from Dekalb County for Murder.

A felony stop was initiated on Hwy 76 at Hwy 66. Four suspects were in the truck and taken into custody without incident. The suspects were heavily armed with two 10 mm handguns with extended magazines, which were confiscated from the suspects.

The following individuals were arrested and charged as follows:

Dekarius Christopher Pitts, age 22, Dacula, GA

• Three counts of Felony Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers • Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement Officers • Felony Tampering with Evidence • Felony Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer • Felony Theft by Conversion • Reckless Driving • No Valid Insurance • Driving on a Suspended License • Failure to Maintain Lane • Further charges pending

Zackeri Alexander Leonard, age 22, Stockbridge, GA

• Felony Possession of Stolen Property • Felony Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime • Possession of Marijuana

Jontavius Clark, age 23, Decatur, GA

• Felony Theft by Conversion • Felony Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer • Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement • Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon • No Valid Insurance

Ronequa Shaunae Jones, age 22, Decatur, GA

• Felony Possession of Stolen Property

Sheriff Ken Henderson commends the deputies on the stop. Their training and experience paid off to avoid a dangerous felony stop. Investigators indicate this is an organized crime ring out of the Dekalb/Lithonia area, and the investigation continues.

**All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law**