SAVANNAH, GA (July 9, 2015): Two men face multiple charges after crashing into the lawn of a fire station while trying to elude police and narrowly missing firefighters who were guiding a fire engine into its garage.
John Calvin Baker, 23, of the first block of Altman Circle, and Hakeem Ramona Campbell, 24, of the 2000 block of Bonna Bella Avenue, were taken into custody after being chased down on foot by residents, Savannah Fire and Rescue firefighters, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, and a Metro K9
The men were occupying a white, 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that had been sought as a suspect vehicle in several Wilmington Island burglaries that crashed into shrubbery and landscape timbers at the fire station on Bee Road about 5:30 p.m.
Islands Precinct patrol officers had been following the car for some time when a marked unit attempted a traffic stop. When the SUV sped away instead of stopping, the officer discontinued his pursuit but K9 and undercover officers saturating the area kept the car in sight.
The SUV continued to speed through traffic, running other cars of the road until it approached the fire engine being backed into the station with a number of fire fighters standing in front and directing it. The Hyundai attempted to drive around the fire engine and firefighters, crashing into shrubbery and timbers.
Campbell was pursued on foot and captured by residents, including a retired Metro detective. Baker was apprehended by K9 Toro and treated on the scene for bite marks when he struggled with the police dog. Both men have extensive histories with area law enforcement including several arrests for probation violation.
Various drugs, a weapon, ammunition and cell phones were seized from the car and from the suspects.
Campbell was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, obstruction, burglary, providing false name and address to police, use of communication devices for criminal purposes, sale of controlled substance and failure to appear in court.
Baker was charged with driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, fleeing to elude, obstruction, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance/ crack cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of tools for commission of a crime, theft of lost/mislaid property, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to notify after hitting an object, failure to report an accident and probation violation.
Detectives from various precincts and Metro’s Criminal Investigations Unit continue to investigate other cases and charges.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A Tip Line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124 and most area clergy have agreed to serve as liaisons for anyone who would like to share information with police anonymously.
Leave a Reply