Multiple Vehicles Hit During Robbery Investigation, 1 Arrested

SAVANNAH, GA (December 5, 2015): Early Saturday morning, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Robbery Unit arrested Theodore Rivers, 22, on several felony traffic offenses to include hitting an SCMPD vehicle while fleeing from officers during an attempted traffic stop near an armed robbery scene.

At about 2:21 a.m. Metro responded to reports of a commercial armed robbery on the 5300 block of Skidaway Road. Metro officers responding to the robbery observed a Chevrolet Sonic loitering near the scene and driving erratically, propelling Metro units to activate emergency equipment and initiate a traffic stop near LaRoach Ave. and Skidaway Rd.

The Sonic did not stop when prompted by several SCMPD vehicles. It continued traveling at high rates of speed, resulting in collisions between a marked SCMPD patrol car, and three privately owned vehicles. Three civilians were transported by ambulance to Memorial University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The Metro officer was treated for minor injuries at Candler Hospital.

While fleeing the original scene, the Sonic side swiped an SCMPD K9 unit on Truman PKWY near Eisenhower Dr, then continue traveling south on Truman. The Sonic’s driver lost control of the vehicle and came to rest in an embankment near Abercorn and Truman Parkway. The driver, who was later identified as Rivers, attempted to flee, but was arrested by another Metro officer. Rivers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was treated at MUMC. The Metro officer was treated for minor injuries at Candler Hospital.

Rivers is charged with fleeing to elude police officers, leaving accident and failure to give aid/ info, reckless driving, and failure to stop at a stop sign. More charges may be pending.

Metro investigators are working to identify suspects in Saturday’s armed robbery on the 5300 block of Skidaway Road.

Anyone with information on this case should 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 confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124.