Six-hour manhunt ends with arrest of wanted felon in Macon

Stephan Cole Smith, a convicted felon, was wanted on multiple active warrants out of Bibb, Jones, and Twiggs counties, as well as by the Atrium Health Navicent Police Department.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man was arrested for fleeing law enforcement and leading authorities on a six-hour manhunt on Thursday, according to the Twiggs County and Bibb County sheriff’s offices.

Stephan Cole Smith, a convicted felon, was wanted on multiple active warrants out of Bibb, Jones, and Twiggs counties, as well as by the Atrium Health Navicent Police Department. Charges included violation of probation for aggravated assault in Bibb County, affray in Jones County, felony criminal damage to property with Atrium Health PD, and battery and criminal trespass in Twiggs County.

The manhunt began on June 26 when a Twiggs County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Smith driving a blue Ford on Sgoda Road. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, Smith fled, leading authorities on a pursuit that ended when he crashed into a gate and struck a tree at the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Training Center.

Smith then ran into a wooded swamp area near Lower Poplar Street in Macon. Multiple agencies, including the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol, the Gang Unit, and the U.S. Marshals Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force, joined the search.

After a six-hour manhunt, Smith was located and taken into custody at gunpoint by Bibb County SIU Investigator Alex Fletcher. He was found to be in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest. As a convicted felon, Smith now faces additional weapons charges along with new charges in both Twiggs and Bibb counties.

Authorities say no injuries were reported during the chase or arrest.