Stolen Truck Tracked by OnStar, Suspect Arrested After Chase and K-9 Search in Jones County

GRAY, Ga. – A stolen vehicle reported out of Eatonton was recovered Friday, January 2, following a high-speed pursuit and K-9 search in Jones County.

According to authorities, Sgt. Travis Walker was dispatched to the Gray Bypass to locate a black GMC truck that had just been reported stolen. The vehicle was actively being tracked through OnStar, which advised dispatch that the truck could be remotely disabled if necessary.

Sgt. Walker located the truck near Gray Highway and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and fled northbound, reaching speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. During the pursuit, OnStar remotely disabled the vehicle, causing it to slow to less than 40 miles per hour.

The driver then turned onto Braswell Lake Road, pulled into a driveway, and ran from the vehicle on foot.

Jones County K-9 units responded to the area and were able to track down and apprehend the suspect. The driver was identified as 47-year-old Vantavious Merritt. Investigators determined Merritt did not have a valid driver’s license.

Merritt was charged with driving while unlicensed, fleeing and attempting to elude, and obstruction.

The stolen GMC truck was recovered and turned over to the Eatonton Police Department.