Early Thursday morning a Cartersville police officer stopped a white Oldsmobile without tag lights on Cassville Road near the Oak Dale Apartments. According to the incident report there was a second occupant aside from the driver. When asked for identification, the suspect, later identified as Jerry Hale, said he did not have any identification with him. He then gave the officer a name and said his birthday was Dec. 24, 1987.
While running the driver and Hale’s identification through the state database, Hale allegedly exited the vehicle and began running east toward the back of Sharp’s vineyard. The officer pursued him on foot.
According to the incident report, the officer was able to catch up with Hale after 200 yards and forced him to the ground. While pursuing Hale, the officer injured his right knee when he jumped over a drainage ditch.
After escorting Hale back to his patrol vehicle, the officer searched him and found a homemade meth pipe in his jacket pocket. According to the report, it was constructed from a light bulb and tape and had a white crystal residue inside the bulb. The officer suspected it was methamphetamine. The officer also found a digital scale hidden in Hale’s boxers. It was reportedly rolled up into the waistband.
Hale then admitted he had given the officer a false name and date of birth, saying it was his brother’s name. After running Hale’s name through the state database, the officer discovered Hale had two active warrants through Bartow County for probation violation and failure to appear. Hale was also charged with obstruction of officers, possession of methamphetamine, giving false name and possession of drug-related objects. He was transported to the Bartow County Jail without incident.
The driver was issued a written warning for tag light violation and released at the scene.