A man wanted in connection with a 2024 homicide was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after a high-speed chase that ended in a crash on Washington Road near the Bobby Jones Expressway.
Tracy Martin, 18, was taken into custody following the pursuit, which began when law enforcement attempted to serve a search warrant at a residence in Martinez.
According to Lt. James Kelly with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, officers from the Sheriff’s Office, the Southeastern U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team were attempting to locate Martin at 310 Sumac Trail, as part of an effort to arrest him on a Grand Jury Arrest Warrant related to the murder of 54-year-old Argie Jones. Jones, who was homeless, was found deceased on July 27, 2024, at 1965 Ellis St. in Augusta.
As officers arrived at the Martinez residence around 3 p.m. Wednesday, Martin allegedly fled the scene, jumping into a white Mitsubishi Mirage with another man driving. When Columbia County deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, Martin and the driver led officers on a pursuit through the county.
The chase ended when the Mitsubishi collided head-on with another vehicle at the intersection of Washington Road and Bobby Jones Expressway. Minor injuries were reported as a result of the crash, but no serious injuries were sustained. Martin was arrested and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on charges related to Jones’ murder.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was also taken into custody by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and additional charges are expected for their involvement.
Jayden Bell, 17, was arrested in October in the murder, accused of causing the death of Jones when he sent the location of a rival gang to his fellow gang members in July, knowing they would carry out a violent act at that address. Jones happened to be outside the location July 27 on the 1900 block of Ellis Street, authorities said.
A RCSO homicide list shows that investigators also have identified three others suspects in the slaying, all teenagers.