Hiawassee, GA – May 8, 2018 – While on patrol on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at approximately 3:15 pm, Hiawassee Police Department (HPD) Detective Brandon Barrett observed a subject known to have an active arrest warrant driving eastbound on S Main St. Detective Barrett and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) initiated a traffic stop on S Main St near Chatuge Way. After initially stopping for the officers, the driver of the vehicle made a U-turn and struck the front of Detective Barrett’s patrol vehicle. The driver, Angela Michelle Capozzoli of Hiawassee, then fled westbound on S Main St at a high rate of speed.
HPD and TCSO pursued the fleeing vehicle to Bugscuffle Rd, where Capozzoli struck both patrol vehicles with her vehicle, disabling one. HPD continued to pursue Capozzoli to Bugscuffle Spur, where she turned onto a dirt road and was no longer able to proceed in her vehicle. She exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area where officers lost contact with her. At approximately 9:00 pm, Capozzoli was located and apprehended after a short foot pursuit by HPD Sergeant Tracy James and Officer John Carter.
“I am incredibly thankful that no one was injured during the pursuit,” said HPD Chief Paul Smith. “Acts of aggression towards law enforcement officers of this extreme are rare in Hiawassee, but obviously not impossible. Working together with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to apprehend and bring charges against Capozzoli.”
The Towns County Sheriff’s Office has obtained arrest warrants for Capozzoli. She has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, and two counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
HPD and TCSO pursued the fleeing vehicle to Bugscuffle Rd, where Capozzoli struck both patrol vehicles with her vehicle, disabling one. HPD continued to pursue Capozzoli to Bugscuffle Spur, where she turned onto a dirt road and was no longer able to proceed in her vehicle. She exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area where officers lost contact with her. At approximately 9:00 pm, Capozzoli was located and apprehended after a short foot pursuit by HPD Sergeant Tracy James and Officer John Carter.
“I am incredibly thankful that no one was injured during the pursuit,” said HPD Chief Paul Smith. “Acts of aggression towards law enforcement officers of this extreme are rare in Hiawassee, but obviously not impossible. Working together with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to apprehend and bring charges against Capozzoli.”
The Towns County Sheriff’s Office has obtained arrest warrants for Capozzoli. She has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, and two counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty.