What started as a simple traffic stop for a tag light violation led to a police chase Thursday night that ended in a forced halt on a county road.

A Statesboro police officer attempted to stop Elijah Jaquan Cone, 20, Lewis Street, for a tag light violation, but Cone would not stop, said Statesboro Police Sgt. Jake Saxon.

Cone fled from the Georgia Southern University campus/Lanier Road area to Langston Chapel Road, then continued fleeing throughout the south side of the city and into the county, driving out Hwy. 301 South, until he reached A.J. Riggs Road.

Bulloch County Sheriff’s deputies had joined the pursuit by then, and when Cone still would not stop, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Lt. Bobby Durden performed a PIT (precision immobilization technique) maneuver on A.J. Riggs Road, using his patrol cars to force Cone’s vehicle to an uncontrolled stop, said Bulloch County Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hutchens.

Neither Cone nor anyone else was injured in the chase or PIT maneuver, Saxon said.

Cone was booked into the Bulloch County Jail by Statesboro Police Officer Dustin Cross around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, according to jail records. He is charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, fleeing/attempt to elude, tag light violation, suspended license, failure to obey traffic device, reckless driving, speeding, stop sign violation, and probation violation.

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