A Floyd County teen was jailed on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges earlier this week after he got into a chase with police that stretched four counties starting on Sunday night and ending early Monday morning when he was finally captured trying to flee on foot with a pistol, according to Polk County Police reports.
William Lee Touchstone, 17, of 308 Turner Road, Rome, was jailed in the early morning hours on Monday, April 19, after he took police on a high speed chase starting in Floyd County and ending near the Carroll County line with Haralson in a stolen pickup truck.
Polk County Police got involved when police were following Touchstone at over 100 mph from Floyd County into Polk, and through Cedartown on the bypass. Spike Strips were attempted to be used near the Northside Industrial Park on the bypass during the incident, but didn’t work. A Floyd County officer who initiated the chase when Touchstone failed to stop for blue lights pulling him over.
That officer was taking the lead, but ultimately had mechanical troubles with his vehicle and had to break off the chase.
Polk County Police stayed on Touchstone in the stolen truck – a 2014 Chevrolet 2500 – that continued through Haralson County. Spike strips were tried again but missed while he drove through Haralson, and he made it all the way to the I-20 overpass and the Carroll County line when finally spike strips were deployed a third time and caught his front tires.
The truck ended up in the median, and Touchstone got out and ran with a black puppy in his arms. He made it into the woods with police chasing him on foot before he finally threw the dog down and gave up to officers.
While being searched, officers found a tobacco vape pen and a .40 caliber Ruger handgun on his person. Touchstone was transported back to Polk County – first cleared at Polk Medical Center by staff – and taken to jail where he was booked on multiple charges.
Those included theft by receiving, theft by taking, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, firearms: carrying a concealed weapon, possession of pistol or revolver by person under 18 years of age – first offender, reckless driving, obstruction of law enforcement officers, possession/sales of tobacco to minors and cruelty to animals.
Polk County Jail released him on a bond this morning to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, who transferred him on their own set of charges.
