A Covington Police Officer patrolling Brown Bridge Road using a license plate reader was alerted when a Hyundai Santa Fe drove by into a Chevron gas station at Brown Bridge Road and Turner Lake Road shortly before 8 a.m. Monday.

After the tag of the Santa Fe came back as expired Feb. 4, the officer waited for the vehicle to leave.

According to reports after the vehicle pulled out of the parking lot in front of the officer, he activated his emergency equipment. After the emergency equipment was activated, the driver of the Santa Fe reportedly looked “directly” at the officer and continued driving. The officer then told dispatch that the vehicle was not stopping and to notify the Georgia State Patrol and Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

The officer then reportedly followed the vehicle west on Brown Bridge Road, right onto Tara Drive where he noticed the vehicle did not have working break lights. The vehicle then turned left onto Melody Circle, running a stop sign at Melody Circle and Scarlett Drive before stopping at 9280 Scarlett Drive.

According to reports, the officer exited his patrol car, drawing his service weapon and giving verbal commands for the driver to show his hands and get on the ground. The male, reportedly, followed commands and was placed in handcuffs once on the ground.

Identified as 34-year-old Carl Correa, the suspect, did not have a valid driver’s license, which was suspended for multiple violations. According to reports the officer noticed that the vehicle’s front left tire was almost bald and the left rear had very little tread on it.

When the officer went to speak with Correa, he smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage from the back seat. Correa told the officer he had two beers to drink the evening before.

According to reports the officer said Correa’s eyes were bloodshot, and he tested positive for alcohol when blowing into an Alco sensor. Correa refused Implied Consent for alcohol tests.

Correa was taken to the Newton County Detention Center where he was issued with citations for expired tag, fleeing/attempting to elude, reckless driving, DUI, suspended license, defective equipment and tire requirement.