Chase suspects identified (July 22, 2011)
A South Carolina man who crashed into the parking lot of Cracker Barrel in Conyers while fleeing police was denied bond in Rockdale County Superior Court Monday.
Christopher Wayne Goff, 32, of Gilbert, South Carolina, faces multiple charges for the July 21 incident, including aggravated assault, aggravated assault (on a police officer), driving with a suspended or revoked license, felony fleeing and attempt to elude a policy officer for a felony offense, possession of a schedule I controlled substance (liquid meth), receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon or felony first offender.
Public defender Owen Humphries said Goff's co-defendant, Jessica Nichole Johnson, was the one doing the driving on July 21 when the car was initially pulled over near the Parker Road bridge. The two suspects got out of the car and fled on foot in the field behind the Stone Mountain Harley Davidson. Johnson was caught but Goff ran back to the car, nearly hit an officer, and began fleeing again. He drove through the parking lot of Brusters and Jameson Inn on Dogwood Drive and drove up a grass embankment, jumping into the air before the car crashed on its nose and Goff was put under arrest.
A .38 revolver was later recovered in the field where the two had run. The suspects had reportedly tried unsucessfully to sell the gun in area pawn shops.
Humphries said Goff would be staying in Gilbert, South Carolina and working at his stepfather's business if he were released on bond.
Judge David Irwin asked whether Goff had any connections to Conyers, and Humphries said there were none.
"I'm a little concerned about him," said Irwin. He denied the bond but said he would be able to review it later.
Goff previously faced misdemeanor and felony charges in South Carolina dating back to 1999, including grand larceny, burglary, simple assault, and marijuana posession, according to the prosecuting state's attorney.