Suspect behind the wheel stopped in Haralson County, jailed on multiple charges

Sometimes, luck is on the side of the law. Not five minutes after a notice popped up about a stolen vehicle on Sunday morning while a Polk County Police officer was on patrol, the same car went by officers on Highway 27 heading toward Haralson County.

Polk County Police arrested Deandra Hodges, 27, of a Bremen address, on Sunday morning in Haralson County by Polk County Police. The incident began when the Hyundai Elantra that was stolen went by the speed camera on the Highway 27 bypass in front of Cedartown Middle School and alerted officers that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

That alert came through at 9:32 a.m. Five minutes later, the Elantra went by the Polk County Police officer who was at the intersection of Highway 27 South and Highway 100, and began to follow the vehicle until other officers could assist with a traffic stop.

Police attempted to pull Hodges over after following him to Haralson County, and at Mormon Church Road began the traffic stop. Hodges tried to take off to flee in the stolen car, but he swerved and ultimately ended up in a dead end driveway.

Once stopped, he jumped out of the car and tried to run on foot. That ended when he tripped and fell, and was ultimately taken into custody without further incident.

Before the car was set to be towed away, police looked inside based on a probable cause search since reports stated that officers smelled marijuana coming from inside. Their noses were spot on after a blunt was found, along with a bag of marijuana in the front passenger seat.

Police also found a Clerke .22 caliber pistol in the passenger side rear floorboard with the serial numbers filed off.

Hodges remained behind bars without bond set on felony charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or first offender, theft by receiving, and criminal use of an article with altered ID mark (other than motor vehicle.) Misdemeanor charges include possession of marijuana, failure to maintain lane, obstruction of law enforcement officers, fleeing/attempting to elude police and driving without a valid license.