Thomas Anthony Linville, the suspect wanted on aggravated stalking by the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office is now in custody. According to officials, Linville, whose residence was reported as being 663 Lakeshore Drive in Cordele, GA, was also wanted on several traffic charges.
At approximately 8:15 yesterday evening, Crisp County deputies received a tip that Linville was traveling north on Hwy 300. Deputies attempted to stop the white Ford F150 Linville was driving. However, once deputies activated their blue lights and siren, Linville refused to stop. Linville drove south on Hwy 33 into Worth County at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Worth County deputies assumed the pursuit. Linville turned onto Cuffie Town Road in northern Worth County. Deputies located the abandoned truck in a pecan orchard on Jodie Hobby Road. Deputies with the K-9 Tracking Team of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and the Turner County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched. Due to weather conditions, Georgia State Patrol’s Aviation Division was unable to fly last night, but arrived this morning at approximately 10:30 to aid in the search.
Then around 3 p.m. today, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office spotted Linville in a wooded area around Cuffie Town and Hamilton Hill Road. Assisted by the K-9 team and the helicopter, law enforcement officials were able to surround Linville and he was captured in a deer stand. He was taken into custody and transferred to Crisp County.
Officials tell us Linville had $20,000 in cash in his pocket. Linville told officials he thought he was bitten by a snake, but there was no evidence of a snake bite at the time he was taken into custody.