03/30/14 Myrtle Beach, SC – Individual/Mental Papers Leaves Hospital – Foot Chase – Suspect Steals Georgetown Co. Police Car – High Speed Chase All The Way Into North Carolina

March 30, 2014

foxcarolina.com

A suspect stole a Georgetown county police car and led a high speed car chase Sunday morning into another state, according to North Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. John Lewis.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., Georgetown County Sheriff’s deputies were notified of mental commitment papers on an individual that walked away from Waccamaw Community Hospital, according to a release issued by the county.

The male suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Camilo Quiroga Diaz of Surfside Beach, was seen walking down Highway 17 Bypass in the Murrells Inlet Community of Georgetown County.

Sheriff’s deputies tried to take the suspect into custody when a foot chase began. Police say the suspect got into a Georgetown county police car and fled the scene.

The suspect drove the stolen Dodge Charger from Georgetown county to Tabor City, NC, while being chased by police.

During the vehicle pursuit, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Horry County Police Department, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Tabor City Police Department, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Sgt. Lewis said the suspect was driving on rims when he entered the state line, due to the stop sticks that were used by law enforcement in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

According to police, Diaz was about four miles into North Carolina, on Highway 904 west of Tabor City, when the Columbus County Sheriff’s Department blocked the vehicle. This happened between 9:30-9:45 a.m.

North Carolina police took Diaz into custody, and was extradited to South Carolina. He was transported to the Georgetown County Detention Center where he will be housed, officials stated. Diaz is charged with Grand Larceny and Failure to Stop for Blue Lights.

This case is under administrative review as to the sheriff’s deputy’s actions before, during and after the vehicle was stolen.