A 26 year old Georgia man faces numerous charges after eluding officers in Cherokee County and Etowah County overnight.

According to Corporal Matt Peek with the Centre Police Department the incident began after Loss Prevention officers attempted to stop 26 year old Benjamin Austin Bridges at the Centre Wal-Mart for shoplifting. As officers were on their way to the store Bridges escaped loss prevention personnel and fled the scene.

A ‘Be On The Lookout’ was issued for Bridges vehicle and Leesburg Officer Jimmy DeBerry spotted the SUV entering Leesburg. When DeBerry attempted to stop the vehicle that’s when the pursuit began with Centre Police joining in the chase.

The pursuit went through Leesburg on Highway 411 South eventually crossing into Etowah County where Etowah County Sheriff’s Office units, Gadsden Police Officers and Alabama State Troopers picked up the chase and from there continued into Gadsden on Albert Rains Blvd. and then down Meighan Blvd where Bridges was finally stopped near the State Troopers Post just outside Alabama City.

Corporal Peek said that during the pursuit Bridges struck three state patrol vehicles but very fortunately no one was injured.

Bridges is a wanted felon out of Floyd County, Georgia on drug charges and was driving a stolen vehicle during the pursuit.

He is currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center without bond on charges of Attempting to Elude, Assault 2nd Degree and Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree. He also has a hold placed on him for authorities in Georgia. Once released, he will be extradited back to Cherokee County.