Cobb police chase ends in Midtown with Cobb police cruiser on top of fleeing Jeep Gladiator 

A police chase that began near Osborne High School in Cobb County ended with a Cobb police car atop a Jeep Gladiator in Midtown Atlanta. The incident unfolded around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The chase involved a gray Jeep Gladiator driven by Robert Shirling of Dahlonega.

Cobb police officers from the organized crime unit initiated a traffic stop on Shirling’s Jeep at Hollyridge Drive and Sandtown Road at approximately 9:10 p.m. According to police, Shirling allegedly refused to comply and attempted to ram an officer with his truck. The pursuit, monitored by the Georgia State Patrol, commenced on Austell Road, continued through surface streets, and then onto the interstate, heading into Atlanta.

During the chase, Shirling reportedly exited the interstate and fled through more surface streets, colliding with two other vehicles while driving northbound on Northside Drive at its intersection with 17th Street. Shirling turned onto Howell Mill Road and struck a third vehicle.

A Cobb police officer then executed a PIT maneuver, causing the Jeep to spin counterclockwise and roll over. The Jeep ended up on its roof, with the patrol car on top, and both vehicles came to rest on Howell Mill Road, blocking all lanes.

Shirling was placed under arrest by Cobb police and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. Howell Mill Road remained closed for about two hours for the crash investigation. The Georgia State Patrol is actively investigating the incident.

Shirling faces charges including aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, failure to maintain a lane, and violation of a traffic control device. He is currently held at the Cobb Adult Detention Center without bond.