1. Toccoa fugitive apprehended after extensive search
2. Toccoa escapee caught following thorough manhunt.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A Toccoa resident, Joel Keller, found himself back in custody after a daring escape attempt that led to a 13-hour manhunt. The 38-year-old fugitive, who was under house arrest at the time, managed to cut off his GPS ankle monitor and flee, prompting a search by Stephens County sheriff’s deputies.
The sheriff’s office revealed that Keller had removed his monitoring device on May 17, sparking a public appeal for information on his whereabouts. Five days later, law enforcement officials received a tip that led them to a residence on Bart Holcomb Road in Toccoa, where Keller was believed to be hiding.
As deputies closed in on the location, they spotted an ATV speeding out of the driveway, driven by none other than Keller himself. A dramatic chase ensued, with Keller crashing the vehicle into a guide wire before disappearing into the nearby woods. Despite the efforts of K-9 units and a widespread search operation, Keller managed to evade capture temporarily.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine, a firearm, and Keller’s cell phone at the crash site. It was also revealed that Keller was out on bond for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and had violated the conditions of his release by fleeing.
In addition to the initial charges, Keller now faces a slew of new allegations, including escape, interference with an electronic monitoring device, fleeing from an officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while committing a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hart County has also issued a probation warrant against him, further complicating his legal situation.
The successful apprehension of Keller was made possible by the collaborative efforts of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff’s offices in Banks, Franklin, and Habersham counties, Georgia State Patrol and GSP Aviation, the state Department of Corrections, and the Toccoa and Commerce police departments. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the community’s support in locating and apprehending Keller, describing him as a “menacing criminal” whose capture was a priority for public safety..
Toccoa fugitive captured
Intense manhunt fugitive captured.
