Three people are in the Effingham County jail after a chase through Rincon on Tuesday morning, and two Rincon police officers are recovering from injuries sustained in the pursuit.
Kenneth Williams, 23, is being charged with attempting to flee, aggravated assault, reckless driving and driving without a license after authorities were alerted to a possible stolen car.
His mother and the mother of his child also were arrested in connection with Tuesday’s chase.
Effingham County sheriff’s deputies issued a be on the lookout advisory for a blue Saturn that was reported to be stolen around 9 or 9:30 that morning, according to ECSO Capt. Mike Bohannon.
Rincon police officers Jose Ramirez and Charles Loetcher saw the car coming toward Chatham Avenue and attempted to make a traffic stop, Rincon Police Chief Michael Berry said, but Williams took off.
Williams, who lives at a Howard Avenue address, pulled into a driveway at a Howard Avenue house — his mother’s, according to Berry. Williams got out of the car, leaving his girlfriend and child in it, and took off for the woods.
Ramirez and Loetcher took off after him and caught up to him, but they were injured in the chase and apprehension, Berry said. They were taken to area hospitals and are resting, according to Berry.
“Ramirez sustained a significant injury, but he was able to assist in the arrest,” Berry said.
Sheriff’s deputies used a taser on Williams and took part in the arrest.
“The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office was fantastic in assisting with us,” Berry said.
Janee Williams and Toni Williams were arrested for obstruction, and Janee Williams, Kenneth’s girlfriend, also was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and theft by receiving stolen property.
The couple’s child was released to the custody of family members.
Authorities are investigating a filing a false report on the car itself. Apparently, Kenneth Williams had had the car for a couple of days but the victim reported that it had been stolen that morning.
This is also the third time Kenneth Williams has been cited for eluding police. The most recent was a car crash that left his brother seriously injured, Berry said.
