Suspect Shot While Stealing Patrol Car Linked to Armed Robberies

The man who was arrested and charged with a slew of crimes related to him allegedly stealing a Cherokee Sheriff's Office patrol car has been linked to armed robberies in at least two other metro Atlanta jurisdictions.

The Sandy Springs Police Department has taken out arrest warrants for Josiah Farino, 29, for allegedly robbing the CVS Drug Store at 6425 Roswell Road, said Sandy Springs Police Capt. Steve Rose.

Sandy Springs, along with Roswell Police Department and the Cobb County Police Department, believe Farino is behind robberies of CVS Drug Store at 1380 Woodstock Road on Jan. 5 and a Shell Gas Station at 2678 Windy Hill Road in Cobb County, on Jan 8.

Roswell Police spokeswoman Lisa Holland also said the agency has taken out arrest warrants for Farino. 

Patch is waiting to hear back from Cobb County authorities to confirm if Farino is their suspect. 

On Tuesday in Woodstock, a deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office was responding to an unwanted person call he'd received from Cherokee County E-911. The deputy made contact with Farino at Baxter's Groceries, located at 14865 Highway 92, and the suspect ran. The deputy chased Farino around the store, and Farino jumped into the patrol vehicle and drove away.

The deputy fired upon the vehicle, hitting the suspect with an undisclosed amount of gunshot wounds. Farino eventually came to a stop at the corner of Highway 92 at Neese Road near First Baptist Church of Woodstock where he was apprehended. 

Farino, who was wanted out of Gwinnett County on a probation violation charge and failure to appear charge from the city of Woodstock, has now been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, theft by taking motor vehicle, interference with government property, fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, misdemeanor obstruction and felony obstruction.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, which Baker said could last about a week.

Don't miss any news from Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch! Subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here. Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!