An Augusta man and his companion were arrested Nov. 18 after a lengthy police chase that finally ended in Warren County.
Authorities are charging Michael Dequez Scott, 29, with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, giving a false name or address to law enforcement, possession of a firearm/knife while trying to commit crimes, and two counts of tampering with evidence.
Shae Ayraven Wallace faces charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and two counts of felony tampering with evidence.
According to reports, Deputy Matthew Cowdrey clocked a 2023 Jeep Compass with North Carolina plates traveling at 87 mph westbound on I-20 near Greensboro and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
According to Cowdrey, the vehicle appeared to be pulling over on the ramp at Exit 130 but abruptly accelerated and fled.
Cowdrey pursued the vehicle as it ran the red light at the top of the ramp and made a left turn on Georgia Highway 44. The vehicle then ran the red light on the other side of the bridge and made a left turn back onto I-20.
The vehicle continued accelerating as it merged back onto Interstate 20 eastbound and reached speeds in excess of 100 mph according to Cowdrey’s report.
As the pursuit approached the 131.5-mile marker, Cowdrey saw someone throw what appeared to be a plastic bag from the driver’s side window and onto the shoulder. The bag burst open, and Cowdrey saw something coming out of the bag.
While approaching milepost 133, someone threw a black handgun from the vehicle, and it landed in the median.
Cowdrey relayed the information to dispatch, and Lt. Brian Moore was sent to retrieve the items thrown from the car.
As the pursuit approached milepost 134, the fleeing vehicle began passing other vehicles using the left shoulder and struck the left rear of another vehicle.
The vehicle then began fleeing at speeds exceeding 120 mph, using the shoulder to pass other vehicles, as the pursuit entered into Taliaferro County.
Once in Taliaferro County, the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 130 mph while still using the shoulder to pass. As the pursuit approached Exit 148, Taliaferro County deputies attempted to deploy stop sticks, but the effort was unsuccessful.
The vehicle continued fleeing at speeds in excess of 130 as it entered into Warren County. Shortly after entering Warren County and passing Exit 160, the car pulled over and stopped at the bottom of the ramp at Exit 160.
Both the driver and passenger were then taken into custody without further incident.
Due to the odor of marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle, a search of the car was performed. Deputies found a dispensary bag containing marijuana residue in Wallace’s purse. Moore located what appeared to be the top of a ripped plastic bag, tied in a knot, with white powder residue.
Moore also found a digital scale with the cocaine.
Scott and Wallace were then transported to the Morgan County Jail for housing.
Moore also found the firearm in the median.