Baldwin police chase ends in drug bust

Photo byDaniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com

The Baldwin Police Department has released new information regarding a police chase and wreck that happened earlier this week.

A press release the city issued Friday states that at around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, Corporal John Groves was notified of a stolen tag on a vehicle through his patrol car's license plate reader. According to the release, Groves executed a traffic stop on the vehicle. The suspect driver pulled over and then sped away south on GA 365 as the officer approached the vehicle.

"The vehicle exceeded speeds of 100 mph and at one point, the headlights were turned off," the press release states.

When the driver, later identified as Marc Black of Gainesville, attempted to turn right onto Tribble Gap Road, the Baldwin Police Department says the vehicle ran up a large embankment and crashed through a sign before stopping.

Police say Black fled on foot into a field. He was taken into custody by the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of their K-9 units.

Black was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center but refused treatment, says Baldwin Public Information Officer John Dills.

Searching the vehicle, a "large quantity of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a handgun were recovered," says Dills.

Police booked Black at the Habersham County Detention Center on numerous charges, including drug possession and trafficking, theft by receiving stolen property, obstruction of law enforcement, hit and run, DUI drugs, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, and weapons and traffic violations.

As of Friday, June 14, online jail records show Black remained in jail without bond.