Greene County deputies arrested a Conyers man on March 19 on multiple charges following a brief foot pursuit. The man also damaged a deputy’s patrol unit.
Joseph Wade Smith, 35, of 50 Lakeshore Dr., Conyers, is facing charges of interference with government property, obstruction or hindering law enforcement officers, possession of a controlled substance, and theft by taking.
According to reports, Deputy Calvin Espeut was dispatched to the Chevron gas station in Siloam about a theft report.
The complainant said he stopped to help a man who said his silver Infinity ran out of gas. The good Samaritan took the man to his home, picked up a gas can, and took him to the Chevron so he could purchase fuel.
After the complainant took the man back to his vehicle, he noticed that his wallet containing credit cards and $900 was missing.
Video surveillance revealed the man was Smith.
Later that day, Espeut spotted Smith’s vehicle on Lamb Avenue in Union Point. Smith turned right onto Scott Street and then left onto Sibley Avenue before pulling partially into a parking spot in front of the Point Market.
Espeut’s account said Smith left his vehicle to speak with a woman, who later said she was startled when Smith got out of his car to make it seem like the two had been in conversation.
When asked by Espeut if he had been in Siloam earlier, Smith said he had not and had been on Bethany Road Church Road.
When Espeut told Smith to turn around so he could take him into custody, Smith fled. Espeut called for backup and was able to place Smith in handcuffs.
According to reports, Smith yelled racial slurs and profanities at Deputy Espeut as he was attempting to explain why Smith was being detained.
When Espeut tried to place Smith in the back of Espeut’s patrol unit, Smith resisted, but Espeut was able to secure him in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed a .22 caliber pistol, a brown rifle, a small blue bag of suspected methamphetamine, a pair of white pills identified as Zompidem, used to help people with insomnia, multiple pieces of jewelry, and “two rare coins.”
While in transport to the Greene County jail, Smith began to punch and kick at the car’s interior, scratching tint off the window, and pulling a panel off the passenger side door. He also spit on the windows, the report said.