Fugitive Wanted in Oconee County Captured Near Lavonia, GA After Manhunt

Our sister station in Lavonia, Georgia, WLHR is reporting that a fugitive went missing in Franklin County, GA late Tuesday afternoon.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said that at around 5:00pm Tuesday afternoon E-911 received a call about a suspicious vehicle near the Echo Truck Stop off of Interstate 85. When deputies arrived, they found a male passenger with the vehicle, who reported that the driver, identified as Timothy Chad Merck, had fled the scene. A quick check soon determined that Merck had active warrants here in Oconee County. A manhunt ensued in the area behind the Wilco Truck Stop off of Highways 59 and 106.

Early this morning, Franklin County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Timothy Chad Merck of Fair Play near the Pilot Truck Stop off of I-85 around 6:30am. At this time, Merck is being held at the Franklin County Detention Center awaiting extradition to South Carolina.