Wanted man arrested as he tried to flee from Forsyth County officers

PRESS RELEASE – Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office issued the following release regarding an arrest that took place after a subject tried to flee from police in Forsyth County.

On Monday May 1st, FCSO received information from other law enforcement partners that a suspect, who had been listed as armed and dangerous and had multiple felony warrants out of Atlanta, was likely at the Outlet Mall in Dawson County. Deputies quickly stationed themselves along GA 400 to intercept the suspect and arrest him if he were to make that bad decision to drive into Forsyth County, which he did.

He made yet again another bad decision doing so around shift change as nearly 40 Deputy Sheriff’s are on the road at one time. As deputies prepared to initiate a felony stop, the driver, identified as 43-year-old David Hamilton of Covington, immediately increased his speed, and attempted to flee from FCSO, yet again making another bad decision.

The pursuit continued south on GA 400 at speeds more than 120mph. Multiple deputies were already responding to the area and Stop Sticks were prepared at Exit 14, Exit 13 and south of Exit 13. The first deputy successfully deployed them at exit 14 and Mr. Hamilton’s tires eventually began to lose air and shred. At this point a deputy attempted to used a Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) causing the SUV to spin out off the roadway just before Exit 13 and really close to our South Precinct.

Both Mr. Hamilton and his passenger, 36-year-old Alshawnta Strothers of Pittsburg, exited the SUV and fled on foot into a mobile home park making yet another bad decision (seems they are truly good at making bad decisions).

Deputies immediately surrounded the area and Mr. Strothers was quickly taken into custody. As deputies searched the area, a resident of the mobile home park told deputies she heard strange noises coming from underneath her mobile home. Mr. Hamilton was located underneath the trailer and was taken into custody without further incident.

While inventorying the SUV the suspects were driving, deputies located a 9mm handgun on the ground by the SUV (that could have been their worst decision). They also located an ounce of marijuana in the center console.

David Hamilton was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Driving While License Suspended, Speeding, Reckless Driving and Obstruction.

Alshawnta Strohters was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Marijuana and Obstruction.

Both were transported to the Forsyth County Jail and held on no bond.