Pair from Illinois arrested in Stephens County after high-speed chase

Stephens County Sheriff’s Deputies were recently led on a high-speed chase that ended in Franklin County.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, the incident happened on Monday, November 4, after deputies were dispatched to a single vehicle accident on Rock Creek Road at Brookhaven.

Upon their arrival, it was determined that the occupants of the vehicle had abandoned the wrecked vehicle and fled the scene.

Shirley said that while deputies were investigating the accident, it was revealed that a male and female who were in the vehicle had been given a ride to Wal-Mart by an individual who found them walking up Brookhaven.

Shirley adds that his deputies also learned that the wrecked vehicle was reported stolen from the state of Florida. An officer with the Toccoa Police Department assisted a Stephens County Deputy to make contact with the two suspects at Wal-Mart.

The pair were identified as 29-year-old Caleb Wood and 33-year-old Felicia Travise, both of Illinois. While speaking with law enforcement, Wood fled on foot and was able to evade apprehension.

Deputies gave chase until they lost Wood in the wooded area near Sonic. Shirley said while deputies were setting up a perimeter, Wood managed to steal a vehicle that was parked at Sonic. Deputies immediately pursued the stolen vehicle, an older model GMC Blazer.

Shirley said that while deputies pursued the vehicle South on Hwy 17, the Georgia State Patrol joined in the pursuit. The trooper was able to utilize the PIT maneuver to safely bring the pursuit to an end.

However, Shirley says that wasn’t enough to stop Wood, after getting out of the vehicle, Wood led law enforcement on another foot pursuit. Eventually, Woods was apprehended by law enforcement and was arrested and transported to the Stephens County Jail.

Wood was charged with 21 separate violations including felony theft by taking, entering an auto, bringing stolen property into the state, obstruction of law enforcement officers, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, as well as a host of other traffic violations. He is currently incarcerated with a $30,000 bond while the investigation continues.

Travise is currently incarcerated at Stephens County Jail with a $24,000 bond. She is charged with 11 different violations including theft, bringing stolen property into the state, obstruction of law enforcement officers, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Additional charges are expected to be brought up against the pair from the State of Florida.