Fugitive captured after escaping Chatham County patrol car

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 12/30/25 1:56 pm] Chatham County Police have announced Robert Wayne Bookter has been captured.

In a media release, the Chatham County Police Department said Bookter was spotted walking near the 100 block of Southern Boulevard by a Chatham County Sheriff’s Office deputy. This area is roughly 1/4 of a mile from where Bookter escaped last night.

Bookter will be taken to the Chatham County Detention Center, and is facing charges of Obstruction and Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer.

In a social media post, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Richard S. Coleman thanked the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit for their professionalism and dedication in the apprehension of Robert Wayne Bookter.

“Your commitment to public safety and tireless efforts do not go unnoticed. Job well done, and thank you for your service to the community,” Sheriff Coleman said.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office went live on Facebook sharing details about the capture, see below:

[ORIGINAL STORY] Chatham County Police are searching for a fugitive who escaped from a patrol car Monday night near the intersection of Chatham Parkway and Police Memorial Drive.

Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Robert Wayne Bookter.

Police say Bookter is 5’9”, approximately 175 lbs, with green eyes and brown hair. When he was last seen he was handcuffed behind his back and was wearing a one piece, all-camouflage coverup.

Current stage of search for Robert Wayne Bookter

“Our efforts to capture him are ongoing, but at this time Bookter remains at large,” shared CCPD in their latest update on Bookter’s location.

CCPD explain incident that led to escape

Around 7:15 p.m., a Chatham County Police Department officer was taking Bookter to the Chatham County Detention Center, and was on Chatham Parkway near Police Memorial Drive when Bookter sprayed a substance at the officer.

Police say the chemical irritant caused the officer to cough uncontrollably while his eyes and nose watered severely. The officer put his patrol car into park, and the automatic door actuator unlocked all of the vehicle doors.

Police say Bookter opened the back door and ran away, while still handcuffed behind his back.

The officer that was sprayed by the chemical irritant radioed for assistance, as police say he was temporary incapacitated. A search took place, including multiple law enforcement agencies, K-9 Units, drones, and a helicopter. Police say they searched the perimeter for several hours and made contact with Bookter’s immediate family members, and searched one residence.

Police review escape and give update on officer sprayed with chemical irritant

CCPD said a thorough review of Bookter’s escape is taking place.

Initial findings show that the officer allowed Bookter to put on the one piece camouflage suit because of the cold. Police say the camouflage suit was patted down in a search, but not the clothes Bookter was wearing underneath.

CCPD also found that the child-safety locks on the vehicle were not activated, which allowed the back door to be opened from the inside when the patrol unit was placed in park.

The officer involved in the incident was taken to a local hospital for treatment and later released. CCPD said they still do not know what chemical was sprayed in the vehicle.

Bookter is now facing charges of Obstruction and Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer as a result of the chemical incident.

Why was the fugitive originally in custody?

Monday, Bookter was stopped by a CCPD officer for driving with a trailer that had no tag or tail lights.

Officers then learned Bookter had multiple outstanding warrants from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office for charges that included aggravated assault, and took him into custody on those charges.

Where to report a sighting

Anyone with information regarding Bookter’s whereabouts can contact CCPD through their online Crime Tip page here.

You can also anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020.

The Chatham County Police Department is the lead investigative agency in this case, and any information from other agencies may or may not be accurate at this time.

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