Sunday, Oct. 2, was a sleepless night for many of the residents living on Upper Sweetwater Trail, as officers patrolled the surrounding streets and a helicopter searchlight illuminated the night sky looking for three wanted men, who allegedly shot at and ran from a Georgia State Patrol trooper.
Just after 11 a.m. Monday, law enforcement officers from across North Georgia were searching about 5,500 acres of land, from Upper Sweetwater Trail to Lake Allatoona, when police dogs started barking loudly, indicating the presence of one of the suspects.
Moments later, officials on scene announced that one of three wanted men was captured by Bartow County SWAT, on the Cherokee side of the search area.
(LEFT: The first suspect caught Oct. 3 after an all-night manhunt was taken by two Bartow County SWAT officers to a waiting patrol car on Upper Sweetwater Trail and Sisley Trail. Photo by Jessica Wagner | Ledger-News)
After about 22 hours of searching, the remaining two suspects were caught, just before 6 p.m., near the shore of Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County.
Arturo Aceves Ramires, 22, of Smyrna; Jose Salvador Vera Lule, early 20's; and Edgar Ortega. Each will be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, as well as other traffic charges in connection with a pursuit Sunday afternoon.
The manhunt began just before 8 p.m. Sunday when a third-party caller informed E-911 dispatch that shots were being fired on Interstate 75, in Bartow County.
Reports indicate that the three suspects, who were driving a Honda, were shooting at an SUV.
According to Capt. Paul Cosper with the Georgia State Patrol, police believe the three Hispanic suspects knew the occupants of the SUV since a third party reported the crime. Authorities said they did not know why the suspects opened fire.
Acting on a “Be On The Lookout” call, Cosper said a trooper spotted the Honda and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at the
Ga. 20 Exit on Interstate 75, at which point the suspects fled.
Cosper said the pursuit traveled down Ga. 20 and entered Cherokee County.
The suspects reportedly drove down Upper Sweetwater Trail and ditched the car just before Woodall Road.
Cosper said, during the chase, the suspects were shooting at the trooper, and continued to exchange fire while fleeing into the woods. Despite rounds being fired, Cosper added that the trooper was not injured.
Although the manhunt continued throughout the night and into Monday, Cosper said residents in the area did not have to evacuate their homes.
The multi-jurisdictional search included Cherokee, Bartow, Floyd and Pickens counties sheriff’s offices, as well as Canton and Acworth police departments, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshal’s Office.
