Driver Tells Police Via Phone He Won't Stop or Return After Chase

A Cumming man led police on a Thanksgiving Day chase that began when an officer noticed the driver of a frosted over car was sitting close to the windshield, looking out a small, clear spot, and ended when his passenger bailed out, hit the ground and rolled.

Stephen J. Womble, 31, was arrested a week later on a number of charges lodged in two jurisdictions, according to a Forsyth County jail booking log provided by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department.

Womble caught the attention of a Cumming Police Department officer about 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 28, driving the small car southbound on GA 400 into the city, according to the incident report. Cumming police cancelled their pursuit after Womble allegedly reached speeds in excess of 95 mph—with one donut tire—and passed several cars in a no-passing zone after exiting onto Highway 9.

The tag on the car Womble was driving had been reported stolen from a yellow Hummer in Cherokee County.

Forsyth County sheriff's deputies spotted Womble's car at a school on Highway 9 and another police chase began, according to spokesman Doug Rainwater. A deputy attempted to stop the Hyundai on Campground Road, but Womble allegedly refused to stop, ran several stop signs in the area of Lively, Longstreet and Mountain roads, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph.

Womble slowed down at this passenger's grandmother's house in the city of Milton, allowing the man to "bail out." The passenger, who was not charged in the incident, repeatedly said, "I told him to stop," according to Rainwater.

The man, who said he and Womble were going to the grandmother's house for Thanksgiving from an Antioch Road apartment in Cumming, said there was nothing illegal in the car.

Womble called a woman at the grandmother's house as she talked with a deputy, who then spoke to Womble on the phone. Womble allegedly told the officer he was driving and running because he did not have insurance or a tag on the car, according to the FCSO.

He also told police his driver's license was suspended, according to the CPD report. Womble's license had been suspended due to unpaid child support obligations and a super speeder violation, according to Forsyth authorities.

FCSO issued eight warrants for Womble's arrest on charges of felony fleeing and attempting to elude for allegedly reaching speeds in excess of 20 mph over the speed limit, brake light requirement, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving a vehicle without a license plate, driving with a suspended license, theft by receiving property for the allegedly stolen license plate, concealing the identity of a vehicle, and no insurance.  

CPD charged with Womble with misdemeanor fleeing and attempting to elude police, speeding, theft by receiving stolen property, driving on a suspended license and reckless driving.

He was arrested on the charges Dec. 5 about 3:15 p.m. at a home on Longstreet Road in Milton.