Man wanted for murder, arson in custody after multi-county car chase, GBI says
Deputies captured a suspect who was wanted for murder and arson after a car chase that went through two counties in central Georgia.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation put out a be on the lookout notice for 31-year-old Joel Jared Butler.
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Butler is accused of killing 49-year-old William Harrell on Wednesday at a home off Old River Road in Eastman.
Investigators say he then set the house on fire.
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The sheriff’s office says he was also wanted for an aggravated assault case that happened the day before the fire.
On Thursday, officials in Bleckley County spotted Butler. He started a car chase with law enforcement that ended the next county over in Twiggs County.
Butler currently faces malice murder and arson charges. Investigators said they expected additional charges.
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