Suspect Apprehended After Extensive Manhunt

The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

After an extensive manhunt, Sheriff Davis is pleased to announce the apprehension of Robert C. Parker.

Monday morning started off with investigators following up on the larceny of a Polaris UTV, when another report of a larceny came in; this time it was a Kubota Tractor. Evidence for both was pointing to the fact that Parker was involved. Thankfully both the UTV and the tractor were recovered Monday morning said Sheriff Davis.

While investigators were processing the scene where the UTV was recovered near Young Harris, a Silver Mustang pulled up and a man with a shaved head was driving it, but he quickly left the area. Deputies had just received information that Parker would possibly be in a Silver Mustang without a license plate, and they had confirmed that he had shaved his head. Georgia law enforcement was notified and a combined effort to locate the vehicle failed.

This same afternoon, deputies responded to a break in at a residence on Hwy 64 East. A man by the name of Robert Byrd was discovered there and arrested for misdemeanor breaking and entering.

As deputies were leaving that scene a Silver Mustang with no tag displayed drove by; the driver had a shaved head. Knowing Parker has a tendency to run, the deputy waited until other deputies were in the area before trying to stop the vehicle, but that did not work out. The vehicle turned onto Ledford Chapel and the deputy followed behind, in front of the church the vehicle turned around and came back toward Hwy 64 at a high rate of speed. The deputy turned on his blue lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle but it went off the side of the road and kept going onto Hwy 64.

Deputies maintained sight of the vehicle onto Downings Creek Road, but lost him there. A short time later, deputies located the vehicle on Peckerwood Road and another chase ensued. After a short chase, deputies lost the vehicle again, but later spotted the male running up the side of the mountain on Cold Branch Road.
A perimeter was set up and road checks were put in place while deputies waited for a blood hound from Union County to track the suspect. The K9 arrived but eventually lost the track, but it did send deputies in the direction to focus their search.

After three hours of searching, a vehicle pulled up to a check point on Tusquittee Road where a male identified as Parker jumped out and ran into the woods up the mountain. Deputies chased him back down the mountain and through a field. Deputies were able to coordinate and box Parker in, and after a short altercation he was taken into custody off of Stamey Cove Road.

Parker was arrested and served the outstanding warrants he already had: Felony Larceny, Felony Possession of Stolen Goods, Two Counts of Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Four Counts of Resisting Public Officer, and Failing to Heed Light or Siren. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond, and has a September 26, 2017, court date. Other charges are pending in this matter.

Sheriff Davis wants to express his gratitude to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Towns County Sheriff’s Office, and Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Davis said, “We have been looking for Parker for some time now, but have really focused efforts over the past week. Without the cooperation and assistance of these other agencies this would never have happened.”

Sheriff Davis wanted to also take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Clay County for the tips and information they have provided while looking for Parker, and for their cooperation and understand during the road checks yesterday that led to his apprehension.