FROM THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE

An Augusta man was arrested Thursday following a pursuit in Burke County. Christopher Weston, 29, was charged with felony entering an auto to commit a theft, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and nine traffic citations, including DUI (drugs) and hit and run. Burke County deputies responded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the 3000 block of Stoney Bluff Road around 9:26 a.m. in reference to a robbery in progress, according to the sheriff’s office.

A 68-year-old woman told deputies she was cleaning headstones around the church when she was approached by Weston, asking for directions. According to the sheriff’s office, the woman became suspicious and saw Weston running from her vehicle towards Stoney Bluff Road with her purse.

Weston got in a black Jeep Cherokee and fled. Georgia State Patrol initiated a chase on Millhaven Road. The chase ended in a wooded area off McCannan Church Road when Weston crashed his vehicle into a tree and ran away, according to the sheriff’s office

A K-9 unit was deployed to begin tracking Weston. After an hour, Weston was found hiding in a swampy area near a pond, trying to camouflage himself using mud and vegetation.

He is being held at the Burke County Detention Center.