City of Cartersville firefighters from Station 1 keep watch over a hay barn fire that was completely engulfed when they arrived at the scene on Mission Road late Thursday afternoon. SKIP BUTLER/The Daily Tribune News
According to reports, the two white men, who were suspects in a burglary, were driving a white Ford Crown Victoria with chrome wheels and splashed with mud.
Bartow County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Georgia State Patrol troopers searched the area of Cass-White Road, Interstate 75, Highway 140 and Highway 411 when the men sped toward the Rydal area. The vehicle was spotted near the Full Faith Tabernacle and the suspects attempted to flee again.
The passenger exited the car and was captured by deputies. He told law enforcement that he and the driver had stopped to fill up the vehicle with gas before encountering officers again. The direction of travel was unclear as the chase picked up again in the afternoon.
According to BCSO Sgt. Jonathan Rogers, the driver has been identified.
At one point, a helicopter was called in by GSP to aid in the search but was later canceled. The transmission in one deputy’s vehicle failed during the chase.
No injuries were reported.
Taylorsville mayor released on bond
According to media reports, Cary Rhodes has been released from the Murray County jail after posting $50,000 bond.
Rhodes, who served as Taylorsville’s mayor, was arrested Oct. 27 by federal agents after he had spoken to an undercover agent online and attempted to meet someone he believed was a minor child “for purposes of having sex.”
Rhodes is charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation and computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation.
Plane crash victim identified
Bartow County Coroner Joel Guyton identified the victim of a Tuesday afternoon plane crash in Taylorsville as 70-year-old Brian Soter of Hammond, N.Y.
Soter was the only occupant of the aircraft. The cause of the accident is listed as unknown, according to a Federal Aviation Administration investigation. The point of origin for his small, single-engine private plane was listed as Mount Sterling, Ky., and his destination was Eufaula, Ala.
Witnesses described the crash as sounding like a loud motorcycle and “going to pieces” on impact in the middle of a cattle field.
Guyton said an official cause of death was not released to his office.
Hay barn ignites during afternoon rainfall
A barn on Mission Road burst in flames during Thursday afternoon’s rainstorm.
According to Cartersville Fire Department Chief Scott Carter, when hay becomes wet it decomposes and heats, causing it to combust and catch fire.
Firefighters responded to the call about 5 p.m. and entered into a defensive mode where the fire is allowed to burn itself out. No other structures were endangered, and no injuries were reported.
Deputies respond to arson calls
Deputies responded to two reports of arson between Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday’s report claims that an unknown person filled the fire box portion of a man’s smoker at a location on Highway 20 full of wood, causing flames to come out on all sides, almost catching the roof covering the smoker on fire.
Thursday’s report alleges someone set fire to a camper. Owners of the residence told firefighters that they witnessed a white male wearing baggy blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a black jacket walking away from the camper.
According to the deputy’s report, a male matching the description was found and taken into custody for an outstanding warrant through Bartow County. The man said he was in the campground because he saw the fire.
Other witnesses on the scene described an explosion, and one was able to identify the suspicious male.