APD Aviation Unit Assist Officers In Tracking Down Suspect Who Fled Traffic Stop
By: On Friday, January 20, 2023, at around 3:45 p.m., an Atlanta police officer observed the driver of a gray Mazda 4 fail to stop at a stop sign. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the intersection of Sylvan Cir. and Perkerson Rd. where the driver initially pulled over and stopped, however, moments later, decided to flee from the scene. The officer cancelled his traffic stop and gave a be on the lookout (BOLO) via radio dispatch.
As the officer continued driving, he noticed that the suspect’s vehicle had crashed and sustained significant front-end damage. Upon further investigation, it was apparent that the suspect struck a U-Haul truck before fleeing the scene on foot.
Witnesses in the area were able to direct the officer to where the suspect was last seen on foot.
During this time, the department’s Aviation Unit, Phoenix, was requested to help canvass the area for the suspect. While flying overhead, Phoenix spotted what they believed to be the suspect hiding in the wood line. Responding officers immediately responded to the area and were able to locate the suspect, with Phoenix guiding them to his exact location.
He was taken into custody without incident and later identified as 35-year-old Tyrone Colbert. It was revealed that he had an active bench warrant out of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, he was charged with Possession of Drug Related Objects, driving with a Suspended License, Hit and Run, Pedestrian in Roadway, and Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign.