State troopers and Bulloch County sheriff’s deputies caught one of Savannah’s most dangerous criminals Wednesday morning after a high-speed chase through three counties.
    Edward Demar Singleton, 29, of Bolling Street in Savannah, was driving a stolen Trailblazer when a concerned driver called to report his erratic and reckless driving, said Gena Sullivan, the public information officer with Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police.
    He was wanted by that agency on cocaine charges and by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office for being an absconded sex offender, she said.
    Georgia State Patrol Post 45 Command Sgt. Brad Mosher said a motorist in Candler County reported a reckless driver on Interstate 16 around 4 a.m. Wednesday.  Trooper 1st Class Carl Hutcheson caught up with the driver around the U.S. Highway 301 South exit and tried to stop him, but the driver, later identified as Singleton, took off at a high rate of speed, refusing to stop, Mosher said.
    The chase led law enforcement to Bryan County, where other state troopers tried, but failed, to stop Singleton, Mosher said. Then, Singleton drove into the median just east of a weigh station at mile marker 148 and exited the Trailblazer, fleeing on foot, Mosher said.
    Contrary to earlier reports, Mosher said, Hutchinson did not perform a “PIT” maneuver, which would have meant he used his vehicle to force Singleton to a stop.
    “The guy just turned off into the median and fled on foot,” Mosher said. “No law enforcement vehicle made contact.”
    Chased by Hutchinson and Bulloch County sheriff’s Deputy John Quattlebaum, Singleton refused orders to stop, and Quattlebaum deployed his Taser, halting the fleeing suspect, Mosher said.
    Singleton was taken to the Bulloch County Jail on charges from Georgia State Patrol of fleeing/attempt to elude. Further traffic charges are pending, including motor vehicle theft, from other agencies, Mosher said.
    Singleton was one of several suspects wanted by Savannah-Chatham Metro Police — one who escaped capture last week in a round up, Sullivan said. He had warrants on file for four counts of sale of cocaine.
    The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office also had warrants out for Singleton for failure to register as a convicted sex offender. Singleton was convicted of statutory rape in 2004.
    “All convicted sex offenders in Georgia are required by law to notify authorities at least 72 hours prior to any change of address,” said Michelle Gavin, the public information director for the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Singleton faces charges of probation violation — failing to register as a sex offender, she said.
    Singleton is being held in the Bulloch County Jail as he awaits court hearings and possible extradition.
    According to records with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Singleton served prison time for statutory rape, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, marijuana possession, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and terroristic threats and acts, and was released in 2009.
    A previous three-month sentence in prison in 2003 was for previous charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and terroristic threats and acts, according to records.
   
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.