Abandoned Vehicle Leads to Arrest

A Sandy Springs man faces charges in both Stephens and Hall counties after being arrested last week in Toccoa.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that on the morning of July 20, deputies responded to the Stephens County Fairgrounds in response to a suspicious vehicle.

Shirley said that once on scene, deputies noticed a silver 2004 Dodge Neon parked alongside the building with the keys in the ignition.

The sheriff said deputies found out the vehicle was stolen from Hall County and were given the name of a possible suspect by Hall County authorities.

Then, at 2 a.m. the next morning, deputies found a person walking in the median of the Toccoa By-pass.

Shirley said the person walking in the median was identified as the suspect in the theft.

According to the sheriff, the suspect, 32-year-old Nathan Townley of Sandy Springs was asked about the car and why he was walking in the road and then admitted to taking the car from Hall County.

Townley was arrested and charged with Theft By Receiving Stolen Property in Stephens County.

He will also face charges in Hall County.