'Possibly Suicidal and Homicidal' Man Flees From Police During Buford Traffic Stop

Gwinnett County Police are searching for a "possibly suicidal and homicidal" man that fled from police during a Jan. 11 traffic stop in Buford.

According to police, a uniform patrol officer stopped a silver 2003 VW Passat bearing Iowa tag 608ZBD at approximately 10:11 a.m. on Friday after the vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard and Buford Highway. After stopping the vehicle near the intersection of South Lee Street and Buford Highway, the officer informed the driver of the reason for the stop.

The driver presented a license identifying himself as Jeremiah Johnson, 33, of Fort Bragg, N.C. A check of the man's identification in state and national databases indicated Johnson had been reported missing out of Iowa and was accompanied by his 5-year-old son Johnnathan Johnson.

The database, according to police, also indicated Johnson was "possibly suicidal and homicidal and disappeared with his son during a custody dispute with the child's biological mother." 

The officer returned to speak with Johnson and noticed a male child in the backseat of the vehicle. The officer asked Johnson to step out of the vehicle, but Johnson refused and sped away with the child still in the car. The officer followed at a safe distance knowing the child was in the car and lost sight of the vehicle on Buford Dam Road as Johnson drove into Forsyth County.

Over the weekend, Jackson County Sheriff's Office personnel located what police believe to be all of Johnson's personal belongings.

"Authorities are concerned for the wellbeing of Mr. Johnson and his son, Johnnathan. It's unknown why Mr. Johnson abandoned all his property but it's theorized that he may act on his suicidal/homicidal thoughts or is attempting to start a new identity with his son," a Gwinnett County Police press release stated. 

Gwinnett County Police have secured arrest warrants for Johnson on the following charges: fleeing or eluding police, two counts of obstruction, reckless driving, second-degree cruelty to children, failure to obey a traffic control device and reckless conduct.

Johnson is described as a 5-foot-9 white male weighing 230 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes (see photo). His vehicle, a silver 2003 VW Passat bearing Iowa tag 608ZBD, has a hitch on the back of the car that extends out approximately three feet. There is a large screen television attached to the back of the front seat and handwritten writings on the exterior of the vehicle including "9/11 Veteran."

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Johnson and his son Johnnathan is asked to called 911 or Gwinnett County Police at 770-515-5000.

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