Suspect Sought in Toccoa Snatch and Grab

Stephens County authorities are searching for a suspect involved in a snatch and grab Monday in Toccoa.

It happened Monday afternoon at a used car dealership on Big A Road in Toccoa.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley tells WLHR News initial reports by dispatchers were that it was an armed robbery.

“Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect was last seen running behind Kelly’s Construction into the woods in the direction of Stephens County High School,” Shirley said Tuesday.  “Both the high school, Big A Elementary and Stephens County Middle School were placed on lockdown until the area could be deemed safe.”

Deputies, Toccoa Police, and GSP set up a perimeter in an attempt to keep the suspect boxed in the wooded area.  A K-9 unit from Georgia Department of Corrections was called in to assist with tracking the suspect into the woods.

“During the course of the tracking, certain items were located in the wooded area believed to belong to the suspect,” The Sheriff said. “Witnesses gave deputies a description of a possible suspect and vehicle. Investigators followed up on leads into the night and ended the search for the suspect after exhausting all available leads.”

At one point Monday evening, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in the search when it was thought the suspect might be from Carnesville.

Sheriff Shirley said his office is still actively investigating the incident and have promising leads in the case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Inv. Sean McGuire with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office at 706-886-7048 or contact Stephens County 911 at 706-779-3911.