Warrants Issued after Man Flees from Traffic Stop

LaGrange Police have issued warrants for the arrest of Ladarius Truitt after he allegedly fled from police during a traffic stop and learned his vehicle was about to be searched.

Late Wednesday night about 11:46 p.m., officers with the LaGrange Police Department were conducting stationary patrol sitting in the parking lot of Ikkie Food Mart on Hamilton Street when they observed a grey Nissan Maxima run to stop sign at the intersection of Colquitt Street at Hamilton Road.

Police then responded and performed a traffic stop on the Maxima on Cannon Street and made contact with the driver, Ladarius Truitt.

While explaining the reason for the stop, officers observed an odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle. Truitt also did not have his license, so officers began to verify his licensed status through the Georgia Crime Information Center. Truitt’s license was then verified along with his identity using his license photo.

Officers approached the vehicle again and confronted Truitt about the odor of marijuana. Truitt then told officers that he had only been smoking a Black and Mild cigar and wanted to know how they could smell the marijuana over the cigar.

Police then asked Truitt for consent to search the vehicle, but he denied consent. Officers then began to detain Truitt pending further investigation and instructed him to get out of the car, but he refused.

Police say Truitt then put the vehicle into gear and drove away from the traffic stop. Officers then gave chase and attempted to apprehend Truitt.

Truitt was seen turning left onto Whitesville Street before immediately turning left again onto Wright Street. Truitt’s vehicle was found seconds later abandoned in the 200 block of Wright Street. He was spotted running into the woods toward Cannon Street, but police were unable to capture him.

A subsequent search of the suspect vehicle revealed a Taurus 9mm pistol on the driver’s side floorboard. The firearm was then checked and it was found to have been reported stolen through the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

Warrants were later issued from Truitt for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement Officers, Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers, Felony Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Stop Sign Violation, and No License on Person.

As of press time, Truitt has not been located and this incident remains under investigation.

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, please contact the LaGrange Police Department 706-8832603. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706812-1000, or by texting an anonymous tip to 274637, keyword “LAGRANGE.” Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.lagrangega.org.

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