Clarke County Democrat

Wanted fugitive rams T’ville officer with car




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Derrius Griffin’s car jammed against Thomasville Police vehicle.

Derrius Griffin’s car jammed against Thomasville Police vehicle.

The U.S. Marshal Task Force attempted to make an arrest Saturday of a man wanted on an outstanding drug and robbery warrant in the parking lot of the Thomasville Subway off Highway 43. It led to a confrontation where the subject tried to use his vehicle as a weapon.

The subject, Derrius Donae Griffin, resisted arrest, striking a Thomasville Police Officer with his car, and then physically assaulted another. He was apprehended and later charged with Assault of a Federal Officer and two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, along with the outstanding warrants, the Task Force was there to administer.

Thomasville Police Chief Mitch Stuckey released a statement on the incident on Tuesday morning.

“On June 19, 2021 at approximately 11 a.m., two Thomasville police officers assigned to the US Marshal Fugitive Task force made contact with Derrius Donae Griffin (AKA PIE). Griffin had outstanding warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of Burglar’s Tools (Felony), and Attempting to elude (Misdemeanor) dating back to an incident in January 2020. Suspect also had an outstanding warrant for Robbery 2nd Degree (Felony) dating back to an incident in 2013,” Stuckey said.

“Griffin was sitting inside a vehicle in the driver’s seat in front of Subway in the parking lot when officer’s approached him. Officers approached Griffin’s vehicle and identified themselves. Griffin was asked to exit the vehicle after he was informed they had a warrant for his arrest,” Stuckey said.

“Griffin put his vehicle in drive, jumping the curb and striking the ice machine. Griffin used his vehicle as a weapon intentionally trying to strike officers with it. Griffin also almost hit a bystander as well. Griffin’s vehicle eventually rammed into a Thomasville police vehicle that was behind him. At this point Griffin’s vehicle finally came to a stop.

“A physical struggle ensued that left Griffin and both officers injured during Griffin’s arrest. Griffin and one officer received medical treatment at the Thomasville Regional Medical Center Emergency Room and were both released the same day,” Stuckey said.

Griffin is currently incarcerated in the Clarke County Jail under the above described charges. Charges from the incident on Saturday include but are not limited to Assault-Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer x 2, Criminal Mischief 1st (All State Charges), and Assault on a Federal Officer.

A hold has been placed on Griffin for the US Marshal’s and he will be transferred into their custody.

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