J.R. Allen stolen car chase suspect identified

Aaron Drake Baus (Source: Muscogee County Jail)

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - Columbus police have identified the suspect involved in Tuesday's car chase as 27-year-old Aaron Drake Baus.

Baus led officials on a car chase with a stolen vehicle on J.R. Allen Parkway on Tuesday, Jan. 27 shortly after 2 p.m.

The incident began when two police officers enforcing traffic violations on Moon Road observed Baus driving a car with three blown tires and smoke coming from the vehicle.

Officers then witnessed Baus drive the vehicle into the Westbound off ramp against the flow of traffic. When they attempted to stop the car, Baus drove across the center median to the Eastbound lane on J.R. Allen Parkway.

Baus then drove back into the median where the vehicle came to a stop, and sparks from the rims of the three blown tires set the median on fire.

Baus jumped from the car and ran to a nearby vehicle, which he attempted to carjack. He then fought with police officers before he was eventually taken into custody.

Baus was placed in the Muscogee County Jail and charged with the following:

Two counts of obstruction of an officer
Bringing stolen property into the state
Criminal attempt of theft by taking a motor vehicle
Simple battery
Two counts of DUI
Failure to maintain lane
Reckless driving
Two counts of driving without a state tag
Two counts of driving with a suspended license
Two counts of no proof of insurance
Two counts of leaving the scene of an accident
Driving the wrong way on the road

Officials also said there was a female passenger in the car with Baus, who escaped the scene and was picked up by another vehicle. No information is available at this time on the female passenger.

Baus appeared in Recorder's Court on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m.

Count on News Leader 9 to keep you updated with new developments on this story.