Suspect sentenced for multi-county chase

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A chase last December spanned multiple counties and involved multiple vehicles, ultimately ending with a crash and arrest. The suspect in the chase has now been sentenced to prison by Houston County Superior Court.

According to a release by the Houston County District Attorney’s office, Christopher Rodriguez, 33, of Macon, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in prison followed by five years of probation.

After previously pleading not guilty in May, Rodriguez entered a guilty plea June 15 to Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The sentence comes from a chase that took place on Dec. 20, 2022. Just before 11 a.m., GSP Trooper Jazzaman Burgess attempted a traffic stop on Rodriguez’s vehicle near the Watson Boulevard Bridge over Interstate 75 in Peach County.

Rodriguez began to flee down Watson Boulevard and fired several shots at Burgess’ patrol car after crossing the Houston County line. One shot struck the hood of the car and bounced away.

Rodriguez then pulled over behind a business, fleeing on foot into a wooded area, then into an apartment complex. He then hijacked a BMW from a civilian at gunpoint and began to flee in the vehicle.

Multiple agencies began to chase Rodriguez down Watson Boulevard, then along I-75 North into Bibb County. The pursuit ended when Rodriguez crashed off Liberty Church Road and he was taken into custody.

Investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations later found out Rodriguez was involved with the Latin Kings, a criminal street gang.

Houston County Chief Assistant District Attorney Eric Z. Edwards prosecuted the case. Houston County District Attorney William Kendall commented on Burgess’ and Edwards’ roles, as well as collaboration between agencies to bring the case to fruition.

“Criminal street gangs have no place in our community. We will continue to ensure, just as we have in this case, to seek strict and swift prosecution of anyone who endangers our law enforcement and anyone who carries themselves as a criminal street gang member,” Kendall said. “I am forever grateful that Trooper Burgess was unharmed and continued to pursue this criminal. It is an amazing feat of bravery to take fire and continue on, in order to protect others. I am glad there are people like Trooper Burgess who protect us, our children and our community.

“I am grateful for the response in our law enforcement community, during the inception of this case I met with all the agencies involved (GSP, GBI and FBI) to include the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure we were communicating and considering all means of investigation and prosecution. As a result of the early on cooperation and teamwork, the agencies investigating pulled their resources and put together an accurate, thorough case.”

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