Sheriff’s deputies issued warrants Thursday for a man who fled after an attempted traffic stop.

According to a report by Bulloch County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jody Deal, a black Ford Ranger driven by a man suspected to be Alvin Eugene Mitchell Jr., failed to stop when the deputy switched on blue lights and tried to pull him over for not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver traveled down South College Street, pulling into Southern Apartments, where he jumped out of the truck and ran. He left the truck running and in gear, and it crashed into a parked car, reports stated.

Statesboro police officers, Georgia Southern University police officers and other sheriff’s deputies joined in the brief chase, which ended near Vista Circle, Deal said.

The search was terminated after a while, but deputies found clothes that were abandoned by the suspect, including a jacket containing a wallet with Mitchell’s identification.

During the chase, a woman who said she was from legacy Apartments on Hwy. 301 south flagged down an officer, stating her “son” called and said he was being chased by police and wanted her to pick him up. Then, she said the suspect they were seeking was not her son, according to reports. 

 After the chase ended, a man stating he was Mitchell’s father called the sheriff’s office and told deputies Mitchell was with him and they were on the way to meet deputies. Then someone claiming to be Mitchell got on the phone and said the driver of the truck was not him, but a friend. When deputies asked the name of the friend, the person who was alleged to be Mitchell hung up, Deal said.

Warrants for Mitchell were issued for his arrest on charges of seat belt violation, fleeing and attempt to elude police, obstruction and leaving the scene of an accident. As of Thursday evening, he remained at large, according to Bulloch County Jail records.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.