Officer Chuck McPhilamy of the Marietta Police Department issued this update on their search for the driver who sideswiped a police cruiser and left the scene with two officers injured:

Thanks to tips from the public along with the dedicated work by investigators from MPD and the CCPD RTCC, we have identified both the missing license plate as well as the driver that struck our officers on May 19^th.  Thirty-two-year-old Artavian Leon Brown of Marietta is charged on Warrant 24-W4823 with (1) Felony and (8) Misdemeanor charges related to the crash.  Video evidence was located clarifying that he removed the license plate off his Lexus SUV shortly after crashing into our cruiser.  Brown is not yet in custody and anyone with information about his location is urged to call MPD STEP Investigator C. Roper at 770-794-5357.  His charges include:

• Criminal Interference with Government Property (F)
• Hit and Run (M)
• Failure to Move Over (M)
• Headlight violation (M)
• Obstruction / Hindering Law Enforcement (M)
• Too Fast For Conditions (M)
• Improper Lane Change (M)
• Reckless Driving (M)
• Improper Display of License Plate (M)

Original article

Have you seen the vehicle pictured above?

Officer Chuck McPhilamy of the Marietta Police Department issued the following appeal to the public:

Marietta officers were working an accident on I-75 when a passing motorist struck the side of a parked police cruiser with their emergency lights activated.  Two Marietta officers were inside the cruiser when it was sideswiped.  While both officers were transported for treatment, thankfully neither were seriously injured in the crash.  The crash occurred around 2:40 AM on I-75 Northbound near Delk Road.  The suspect kept driving and fled the disabled cruiser and officers.  Responding officers canvased the area but were unable to locate the suspect Sunday morning.  Through the use of technology and assistance from the Cobb County Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) we have now identified the suspect vehicle as a white Lexus SUV, see attached photo.  The vehicle was last seen in Gwinnett County near Beaver Ruin Road hours after the crash occurred. 

We are asking for the public’s help locating the suspect vehicle and identifying the driver from the crash.  Anyone with information about the vehicle and/or driver is urged to contact Marietta Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Investigator C. Roper at 770-794-5357 or via email croper@mariettaga.gov  You can also remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

Suspect vehicle

Damaged police cruiser

About the City of Marietta

The City of Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau puts the population of the city at 60,867 which makes it the second largest city in Cobb County by population, smaller only than the newly incorporated City of Mableton.

Here are a few quick facts from the Census Bureau