Bibb Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies responded to a call at the Family Dollar Store at 3620 Napier Avenue in reference to a stolen vehicle. While responding to the Family Dollar, information was given by the Macon-Bibb 911 Dispatcher to responding deputies, a stolen Silver Toyota Sienna Van had been seen by the caller on Vineville Avenue near Forest Avenue. The caller and another man were riding together, following the vehicle and had lost sight of it near the Family Dollar Store. The 2004 Toyota Sienna Van had been reported stolen back on July 26. 2015, from the Highland Apartments on Forest Hill Road.
Bibb Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the Family Dollar and made contact with the gentleman that called and another gentleman with him. As the deputy was talking with the two men, they saw the vehicle pass by the Family Dollar Store. The deputy left the store in an attempt to catch up to the van, but lost sight of it. The van was spotted again by a Bibb Sheriff’s Deputy and the deputy attempted a traffic stop on the van at Bartlett Street and Napier Avenue, the vehicle’s driver refused to stop. As the deputy continued pursuing the vehicle onto Cherokee Avenue, the driver of the van ran the stop sign and entered the southbound lanes of Pionono Avenue, striking a 2012 Buick Enclave, driven by 32 year old Maggie Flanders of Macon and a 2013 GMC Sierra Pickup driven by 31 year old Anthony Williams of Macon. Flanders had two passengers in her vehicle.
Deputies apprehended the driver of the van, 21 year old Jeffery Hunter Jr., from Albany Georgia. He was the only occupant in the van. No one was seriously injured in the accident. EMS was requested to the accident scene. All three drivers and the passengers of Flanders’s SUV were checked by paramedics. Hunter was transported to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Property Investigation’s Office to be interviewed. He was later transported to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Complex. He is charged with Theft By Receiving Stolen Auto, Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer, Reckless Driving and Possession of Marijuana.
The two gentlemen that had followed the stolen van told deputies that they know the owner of the van and wanted to help, so they decided to just ride around to see if they might happen to spot the vehicle.
This incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with information in reference to this incident is urged to contact the Bibb Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 and ask to leave a message for Investigator Johnson or contact Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.