Suspected shoplifter Olivia Hayes hits deputy, several cars trying to run from police

BARTOW COUNTY, GA  - Bartow County Sheriff's deputies say a woman accused of shoplifting from an Ingles location in Cartersville made a mad dash to escape being caught.

Authorities said Olivia Hayes, 25, is facing several charges after she struck a deputy and several cars with her vehicle while trying to get away.

Police were called to the Ingles grocery store on Joe Frank Harris Parkway around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday on a shoplifting complaint. Upon arrival, they saw Hayes getting into her vehicle. When deputies approached her and tried to get her to stop, she ignored them and instead put her car in reverse, hitting one deputy in the leg and barely missing another.

”She then pulled forward and slammed into one vehicle that was beside her that had a toddler inside and the mother was behind it putting groceries away and hit another vehicle in front of her, said Bartow County Sheriff's Investigator Jonathan Rogers.

Investigator Rogers said Hayes then pulled out of the parking lot, went in the wrong direction down Felton Road, hit another car, and almost hit a deputy head on.

A chase involving Bartow County Deputies, Cartersville Police, and Georgia State Patrol began, authorities said Hayes pulled into the Crown Inn on Tennessee Street just down the road, ditching her car, and running into a motel room to hide.

Deputies found Hayes, arrested her, and she is now in the Bartow County Jail facing 16 charges including three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, fleeing and attempting to elude officers, probation violation, shoplifting, driving while unlicensed, and making an illegal left turn. She may also be facing additional charges.

The deputy that was struck is expected to be okay. No other injuries were reported.