From staff reports

From staff reports

Officers with the Griffin Police Department on Thursday night apprehended Derrick Lamont Smith, who was being sought on outstanding warrants by law enforcement agencies in both Lamar and Henry counties.

“Derrick Lamont Smith, 30-years-old, was rather surprised when his floor supervisor asked him to go to an upstairs office. He was so shocked that he fled from the building when he observed Todd Thomas and Trey Williams, both uniformed police officers, waiting for him,” said Officer Bryan Clanton, acting as public information officer for the GPD. “Mr. Smith was not interested in keeping company with the police because he had an outstanding warrant for armed robbery in Lamar County and a probation violation warrant on him from Henry County. His criminal aversion to law enforcement was so intense that he continued fleeing until he was surrounded and apprehended.”

According to Clanton, Thomas and Williams received a tip from a “concerned citizen” that Smith was wanted and had reported for work at Marino Ware on Greenbelt Parkway.

Thomas confirmed both warrants and contacted Marino Ware management. They attempted to avoid creating a public disturbance by bringing Smith to the police.

“The Marino Ware management was very helpful and wanted to assist us as much as possible,” stated Todd Thomas, though Derrick Smith was not interested in compliance.

Police allege Smith subsequently fled the location by running across Greenbelt Parkway.

He was at this time pursued by GPD officers Mike Morris, Gene Matthews, Thomas, and Williams.

Clanton said Marino Ware employees also attempted to assist by pointing the officers in the direction Smith was running and alerting them to his hiding places.

During the pursuit, Thomas was injured when he twisted his ankle and fell while traversing an obstacle.

Smith was later apprehended as he attempted to hide in a wooded area that separates the northbound and southbound sides of Greenbelt Parkway.

Smith was transported to the Spalding County Jail where he is being held on his previous warrants as well as a new charge of obstruction of law enforcement.

Thomas was treated at Spalding Regional Medical Center and later released later. He is currently on light duty while recovering from his injury.