A chaotic Thursday evening chase in Cobb County ended with a 22-year-old Marietta man accused of choking a police K-9 after crashing along Favor Road, according to authorities. Officers say the dog, Metro, was grabbed around the neck as the suspect tried to get away on foot, prompting a fast-moving struggle involving multiple officers.
Police say the incident kicked off around 6:48 p.m. near the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy at 2451 Favor Road and Windy Hill Road, when officers tried to stop a Dodge Charger driven by Elijah Crawford, 22. During the chase, Crawford allegedly hit two vehicles, then sat inside his disabled car for about four minutes before bolting on foot, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. The pursuit damaged multiple vehicles before officers ultimately caught up with Crawford and took him into custody.
Foot pursuit and canine encounter
Warrant documents say that during the foot chase, Crawford grabbed Metro’s metal collar and tightened it around the dog’s throat. Several officers then used physical force to break his grip and free the K-9, according to police. Crawford was arrested at about 7 p.m. and booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, per the Cobb County Sheriff's Office.
Charges and custody
Jail records show Crawford faces multiple felony counts, including hit-and-run, serious injury by vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer during the commission of certain crimes, and destroying or causing serious or debilitating injury to a police dog, along with several misdemeanor charges, according to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. He was being held without bond pending prosecution.
Warrant documents also state that one driver struck during the chase suffered a large laceration to the right leg that required both internal and external stitches, the Marietta Daily Journal reported. Investigators did not immediately release additional details on Metro’s condition or on Crawford’s next court appearance.
