JONES COUNTY, GA — Three individuals were arrested Friday following a suspected bank fraud attempt that escalated into a vehicle chase.
Deputies from the Jones County Sheriff’s Office responded after Morris Bank staff reported a suspect attempting a transaction with a fraudulent ID. One investigator entered the bank in plain clothes while another monitored from an unmarked vehicle.
When the suspect left the bank in a dark gray Honda Accord, deputies initiated surveillance. The vehicle briefly stopped on Bill Conn Parkway but then fled, prompting a high-speed chase. The pursuit continued through Highway 11, Industrial Boulevard, and into the Government Center area, where the car ultimately crashed after driving across a parking lot and grassy area.
Authorities took three suspects into custody:
Vernon Tonge, 26, the driver, faces charges including felony fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, aggressive driving, failure to maintain lane, and driving with a suspended license.
David Granger, 63, and Tariq Bennett, 27, both face first-degree forgery, identity fraud, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that all three suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
