Georgia man steals mortuary van and leads police on chase after body rolls out
08/27/2021 2:14 pm PDT
CONYERS, Ga. (TCD) -- A 23-year-old from Atlanta was charged this week after authorities say he stole a mortuary van and struck "multiple vehicles" on the highway during a police pursuit.
The Conyers Police Department announced in a statement that Kijon Griffin went to Rockdale County Jail on August 25 and turned himself in. The Conyers Police Department said a mortuary van parked in front of a crematory was stolen, with officers pursuing the suspect from Conyers to DeKalb County.
According to the statement, there was a body on a gurney in the van, which rolled out of the back hatch and into the parking lot. People in the area, however, were "able to secure the body," the department said.
During the pursuit, Griffin allegedly drove on Interstate 20 and hit several cars. One of the van’s tires reportedly blew out, and police say Griffin got out of the van and ran northbound into a wooded area between Panola Road and Wesley Chapel.
The DeKalb County Police Department, their K-9s, and Georgia State Patrol helped Conyers Police secure a perimeter around the area. Conyers Police said Griffin "was not captured" at the time.
According to WAGA-TV, the van belongs to Stan Henderson & Sons Mortuary in Stockbridge. Stan Henderson told the station, "It’s ridiculous that the dead can’t even rest."
Rockdale County Jail records show Griffin is charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, entering automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft, theft by taking, and two counts of willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.
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