Crime & Safety

Woodstock Man Indicted for Stealing Sheriff's Patrol Car

Josiah Farino was shot by a deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office after he allegedly stole a patrol vehicle to evade police.

A Woodstock man has been indicted on a slew of charges for allegedly trying to evade police by stealing a Cherokee Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle in January. 

Josiah Luke Farino, 29, was indicted this week by a Cherokee County Grand Jury on one count of aggravated assault of a peace officer, theft by taking, obstruction of an officer, interference with government property, reckless driving, hit and run possession of marijuana and two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

On Tuesday, January 14, a sheriff's office deputy responded to an "unwelcome guest" call came into the Cherokee County E-911 dispatch center. 

The 911 operator was informed the man, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest, was walking near the Colony Center neighborhood on Highway 92 near the Cobb-Cherokee border. 

The deputy made contact with the suspect, later identified as Farino, in the parking lot of Baxter's Groceries, located at 14865 Highway 92, and the suspect fled on foot. 

The deputy chased Farino on foot around the building and the suspect jumped into the deputy's patrol car. 

The deputy, who, according to the indictment, stood in front of the vehicle as Farino "aggressively" drove towards him, fired upon the patrol car and shot Farino an undisclosed amount of times, but the suspect continued to drive westbound towards the Woodstock city limits along Highway 92.  

The chase ensued for about four miles until the suspect, who also hit a 2012 Ford Focus while traveling on the thoroughfare, stopped at the intersection of Highway 92 at Neese Road in front of First Baptist Church of Woodstock.
 
The patrol vehicle, including the windshield, was riddled with bullets, and the tires were shot out before it came to rest at the intersection. Farino was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta for treatment. 

Farino, who was who was wanted out of Gwinnett County on a probation violation charge and failure to appear charge from the city of Woodstock, had outstanding warrants from agencies in Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Farino has also been indicted on three counts obstruction of an officer charges, which stems from a June 18 incident involving an altercation with several sheriff's deputies at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.


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