NAPOLEON MAURICE PHILLIPS An attempted routine traffic stop Wednesday, May 13, on

U.S. Highway 25 North by a trooper of the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Post, Sylvania, quickly turned into a high speed chase through the City of Millen as the driver attempted to elude the trooper.

Napoleon Maurice Phillips, 18, of Vandivere Road, Augusta, was arrested and charged with speeding 101 in a 55 mile per hour zone, felony fleeing/attempting to elude an officer, criminal damage to propertyfirst degree, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, hit and run, disobedience to an officer and false imprisonment.

The GSP trooper, Millen Police Department officers, Jenkins County Sheriff's Department deputies and an additional GSP trooper all attempted to stop the vehicle as it entered the city, traveling south on U.S. Highway 25. The suspect vehicle struck three other vehicles as it attempted to flee law enforcement through the city. Phillips eventually lost control of his vehicle near McTeer Food and Fuel on U.S. Highway 25 South and struck a telephone pole. The vehicle came to a stop, facing north, on the highway.

The driver of this vehicle, Napoleon Maurice Phillips, lost control and struck a telephone pole near McTeer Food and Fuel, U.S. Highway 25 South, as he attempted to elude law enforcement in a high speed chase through the City of Millen on May 13. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) Phillips jumped from the vehicle and ran behind McTeer's where he grabbed a bystander standing in front of a nearby garage. The bystander was able to break free, and the suspect ran into a wooded area. Law enforcement began a manhunt, and the suspect was quickly arrested nearby without incident by a Department of Natural Resources Ranger.

Phillips is being held in the Jenkins County Jail pending bond. He also has a warrant with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for credit card fraud.