07/19/14 Catoosa County, GA – Female Arrested For Stolen Property – In Handcuffs Steals Deputy’s Patrol Car – Chase – Crashes It

July 18, 2014

northwestgeorgianews.com

Rossville woman is behind bars in Catoosa County after a day of crime that sounds like something out of the popular Grand Theft Auto video game, in which she was arrested for burglary and then stole and wrecked a police car after leading authorities on a high-speed chase.

According to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office:

Twila Paulett Atwell, 25, of West Cloud Springs Road in Rossville was arrested Wednesday morning, July 16, for burglary, escape, interference with government property, theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, seatbelt violation, obstruction or hindering law enforcement officers, driving on an expired license, and vehicle pursuit.

As of Friday morning, July 18, Atwell was still being held in the Catoosa County jail with bond set at $39,000.

Atwell’s crime spree kicked off around 11:18 a.m. Wednesday when sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on Pine Hill Drive in Rossville in regards to a call from a citizen claiming Atwell was at the residence and unwelcome.

Deputies arrived at the house to find that Atwell had brought three bags with her, which ultimately contained property that was stolen from another residence on Pine Hill Drive. Captain Chris Lyons was able to contact this residence’s owner, who in turn identified the stolen property as his.

Deputies attempted to arrest Atwell, but she was able to wiggle away from the arresting officer while he was placing her in handcuffs.

A short foot chase ensued, and Atwell was nabbed and placed in the back of the deputy’s patrol car, reports show.

Shortly thereafter, while en route to the Catoosa County jail, Atwell kicked out the back window of the patrol car.

Moments later, the deputy stated to dispatch that Atwell had stolen the patrol car from him and was speeding east down Battlefield Parkway, reports show.

As the chase evolved, deputies caught up to Atwell at the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Graysville Road, where she cut through the parking lot of a convenience store to make her way onto Graysville Road.

“Atwell refused to stop, and sped around and between traffic in both lanes along Graysville Road until she lost control of the vehicle and crashed onto the right side of the roadway,” detective Alan Miles stated in the report. “I approached the vehicle and observed Atwell against the front interior passenger door having been thrown to that side of the vehicle due to not wearing her seatbelt.”

Officers were able to open the damaged driver’s-side door of the patrol car, at which time detective Miles and Georgia State Patrol trooper Ben Boyd were able to remove Atwell from the car, reports show.

When they got to her, Atwell’s right hand still had handcuffs on it, but her left hand was free, at which time she continued to resist officers by pulling her arms away and kicking as she was re-arrested and placed in trooper Boyd’s car.

Atwell was ultimately transported to the jail without any further incident.