Teen Arrested in Gilmer County After Pickens County Pursuit

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. — A pursuit that began in Pickens County crossed into Gilmer County early Saturday morning, ending with a crash and an extensive search involving deputies, a K9 team and a drone.

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified during the early morning hours of Aug. 15 that Pickens County deputies were pursuing a silver Ford F-150 north toward Gilmer County. Gilmer County deputies were given a BOLO for the vehicle and advised that shots had reportedly been fired from the truck.

After Pickens County deputies lost sight of the vehicle, Gilmer County Deputy J. Parks spotted a truck matching the description on Roundtop Road. Parks turned around to initiate a traffic stop but soon found the truck crashed off the roadway.
Authorities said the driver had fled the scene on foot, prompting the sheriff’s office to bring in additional resources.

Captain Crump deployed the GCSO Drone Team, which used thermal imaging to search the area from above. Meanwhile, DFC Ryan Scott and K9 Ruckus, along with Cpl. Carver and Deputy Parks, began tracking the driver from the area where the truck had been abandoned.

According to the sheriff’s office, K9 Ruckus tracked the suspect for approximately an hour through woods, heavy brush, a creek bed, mud, grass and pasture as the drone team continued searching overhead.

Following the extensive search, the K9 team returned to the roadway. A short time later, authorities said the suspect emerged from a nearby field with his hands raised and surrendered to Sgt. Humphries and members of his shift. Deputy Cooper then took the suspect into custody.

The driver was identified as 17-year-old Miguel Rivera-Penaloza. He was transported to the Pickens County line and turned over to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

Rivera-Penaloza faces charges in Pickens County related to the incident.

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the coordinated response involving its patrol deputies, K9 unit and drone team, as well as the cooperation between agencies when law enforcement incidents cross county lines.