10/09/13 Monroe County, GA – Prisoner Runs From Courthouse – Steals And Flips Pick Up – Chase – Steals Patrol Car – 10-12 Shots Fired

October 8, 2013

firstcoastnews.com

A prisoner who was sentenced at the Monroe County courthouse broke out, stole a patrol car and led officers on a chase.

The GBI said the suspect is Jeffrey Keith Sligh, 36, of Jackson.

He is now back in custody, according to a GBI news release.

The GBI said they are investigating use of force because Monroe deputies fired shots during the chase, the news release stated.

No one was injured.

Sligh was being charged at the courthouse on burglary and arson charges. He was found guilty of burglary and sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to the GBI news release.

Deputies were taking Sligh into custody when he ran from the courthouse and drove off in a vehicle.

A short distance from the courthouse, Sligh crashed and stole a Monroe County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, the GBI said.

Deputies eventually caught him on the Hwy. 83 ramp to I-75 north, the news release stated.

Sligh is being held at the Monroe County jail.

Darryl Gates was delivering mail in the downtown Forsyth square when he said he saw Sligh running from the courthouse with deputies chasing him.

“He got into an older model pickup truck and started driving in reverse around the square at a high rate of speed with deputies (in patrol cars) following him,” Gates said.

He then lost track of the chase as he continued his delivery route.

Gates said the vehicles re-emerged on West Johnston Street and he was very surprised at what he saw next.

“The pickup loses control and flips on the street,” said Gates. “I figured then it was over but he (suspect) climbed out of the vehicle and they were shouting commands at him to ‘get on the ground,’ with their guns pointing at him and he just kept walking towards them.”

Dustin Roberts also saw Sligh’s truck flip over. “The police surrounded the truck and it looked like the guy was actually gonna give up,” said Roberts.

Sligh, Gates said, then got into a patrol car that was running and drove off.

“They fired at him – 10 to 12 shots,” said Gates. “I think one hit the tire.”