JONES COUNTY, Ga. — Three people are facing felony charges after a reported fraud attempt at a bank led to a vehicle chase and arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Jones County deputies say the incident happened on the afternoon of Jan. 9 after staff at Morris Bank contacted authorities about a suspect inside the bank trying to complete a transaction using a fake identification card.
Investigators responded to the area and began surveillance. When the suspect left the bank and got into a dark gray Honda Accord, deputies attempted a traffic stop on Bill Conn Parkway.
According to the sheriff’s office, the driver initially stopped but then failed to follow commands to pull over and sped away, leading deputies on a chase through multiple roadways in Jones County.
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With help from the Gray Police Department, the chase continued onto Highway 11 and Industrial Boulevard before entering the Government Center area. Authorities say the vehicle drove through a parking lot and grassy area before wrecking and coming to a stop.
The driver surrendered, and deputies took three suspects into custody, officials said.
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The driver, 26-year-old Vernon Tonge, is charged with:
- Felony fleeing or attempting to elude
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to maintain lane
- Driving with a suspended license
All three suspects, Tonge, 63-year-old David Granger, and 27-year-old Tariq Bennett, are charged with:
- First-degree forgery (felony)
- Identity fraud (felony)
- Possession of marijuana less than one ounce
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