GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of police officers were on the scene of a car chase that ended in a crash Thursday afternoon.
Police said there were four vehicles stolen and six to eight hit-and-runs throughout the Norcross, Tucker and Duluth areas during the chase. One of the cars stolen was a Gwinnett County patrol vehicle.
Police said it all began with a hit-and-run at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Britt Road in Norcross around 1:15 p.m. The suspect drove away toward DeKalb County in a box truck that was believed to be stolen.
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Police then got a call about a man in Tucker hitting cars with a box truck. They arrested the driver at South Royal Atlanta Drive after two witnesses held him down until officers arrived. He was put in handcuffs in the back of a patrol car.
While in the patrol car, police said the suspect moved his arms forward, squeezed through the cage window and stole the car.
[PHOTOS: Multi-county chase ends in crash, shuts down road]
Police said the suspect drove the police car through a golf course and crashed, then went on to steal two other trucks as police tracked him with a GPS around the area.
"It's a pretty quiet neighborhood. Pretty quiet. So this is highly unusual," neighbor Trina Espinoza said.
The driver is accused of several hit-and-runs in a Walmart parking lot on Pleasant Hill Road.
“We know that during his stealing of these vehicles, there were other vehicles that he tried to steal and he was unsuccessful,” Gwinnett County police Cpl. Michele Pihera said.
At one point, officers and deputies from at least five agencies were in pursuit of the man who had warrants out of Forsyth County.
He led police on a chase and crashed at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at Campus Drive. Police said an officer performed a PIT maneuver to stop the driver.
Police said the suspect suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard was shut down for hours after the crash but has now reopened.
Police said once the suspect is discharged from the hospital, he will face multiple charges.