From staff reports

Officers with the Griffin Police Department on Tuesday night arrested 25-year-old Byron Lamar Walker following a pursuit and a physical fight with the suspect that resulted in one officer being examined and then released from the Spalding Regional Medical Center Emergency Room.

Authorities say Investigator James C. Jackson has been investigating an entering auto case that occurred in early September at 935 Experiment St. The investigation led to Byron Walker and Kowaisia Freeman, Walker’s 22-year-old alleged accomplice.

Officials say Walker admitted to the crime and was allowed the opportunity to surrender voluntarily.

Meanwhile, Freeman was arrested in a separate case by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Department for theft by receiving stolen property. That investigation disclosed that Walker had allegedly approached Freeman to borrow money to support his drug habit. Police say Freeman used this request as leverage to gain Walker’s assistance with breaking into the vehicles.

Jackson requested assistance from the GPD’s Crime Suppression Unit to locate Walker since he had failed to surrender.

Officer Kelly Moss, of the CSU, on Tuesday located Walker on Leo Street.

“When she exited her patrol car and asked him to stop, he ran through several yards towards Solomon Street,” said Cpl. Bryan Clanton, GPD spokesman. “Patrolman Shaun Carr located Walker on Solomon Street and pursued him. Carr was able to catch Walker, but Walker began to violently resist his lawful arrest. Carr and Walker were fighting on the ground when Patrolman Pat Jones found them. Jones deployed his OC spray on Walker, but it did not stop Walker from fighting. Both officers continued to attempt to gain control of Walkers hands, but Walker pinned one of Carr’s hand under his body with his hands. The officers were eventually able to restrain Walker’s hands and handcuff them.”

Spalding Regional Emergency Medical Services was called to the scene to decontaminate Walker, Carr, and Jones due to OC spray exposure. After the decontamination was completed, Walker was transported to the Police Department by Carr.

Jones was transported to the emergency room of Spalding Regional Medical Center due to an injury to his right hand. He was later released with a mild sprain.

Walker is currently in the Spalding County Jail facing charges of entering an auto with intent to commit a felony, two counts of felony obstruction of an officer, misdemeanor obstruction of an officer and felony violation of probation.