A Covington man who fled a traffic checkpoint just before Christmas was caught and arrested after Rockdale deputies found drugs and a stolen gun in his car.

Robbie Jarrod Smith, 29, of Covington, is charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, driving while license suspended, illegal U-turn, failure to maintain lane, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to obey a traffic control device, passing in a no passing zone, and willful obstruction of officers.

On Dec. 21, deputies with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office were conducting a road check at Sigman Road and Gees Mill Road. One vehicle approaching the checkpoint suddenly did a U-turn in the middle of the roadway. After deputies caught up to the vehicle, the suspect vehicle increased its speed and led deputies on a brief chase down Old Covington Road to Ga. Highway 138 and then to Main Street.

The suspect, later identified as Smith, then turned into an apartment complex and traveled down a dead end street.

Once he reached the dead end street of the apartment complex, Smith got out of his vehicle and ran on foot. He ran through a wooded area and was able to climb a chain-link fence to enter the adjacent apartment complex.

The deputy who was chasing the suspect was able to give a good description of him and several RCSO deputies arrived on scene looking for the suspect. A few moments later, another RCSO deputy was flagged down by citizens who pointed in the direction where Smith was hiding in the hallway of one of the apartment buildings and was able take Smith into custody.

When the vehicle Smith was driving was searched, deputies found a loaded handgun on the front passenger seat. After deputies checked the serial number, the gun was found to be stolen out of Walton County. Deputies also located four small baggies and one large baggie of marijuana, along with eight small individual baggies of powder cocaine on the path in which Smith ran.

"I want to commend all of the Deputies for their quick response in helping get the suspect into custody" said Sheriff Eric Levett. "I also want to thank the citizens for helping our deputies locate the suspect in this case."