Officers of the Highlands Police Department are searching for Robert Newman Baty II in connection with fleeing to elude the incident that happened in the evening hours on Thursday, April 20.
According to a report from the Highlands Police Department, officers were attempting to serve warrants on Baty II when he fled from police in a vehicle, nearly causing injury to an officer in his attempt to escape from the officers.
Officers attempted to stop Baty II, which traveled down Horse Cove Road, but he escaped when one Highlands Police vehicle slid off the road to the right, damaging the patrol vehicle.
According to Highlands Police Chief Andrea Holland, the officer and K-9 were not injured.
The damages to the car were minor and mostly cosmetic. However, the accident did remove the vehicle and associated officers from service for several hours while the patrol vehicle was recovered and the officer was evaluated.
Chief Holland, Lt. McCall, and a Macon County Sheriff’s Deputy handled calls while the two road officers were out of service.
Later investigation of the event found that Baty had been holding a female passenger in the vehicle against her will while fleeing from officers.
In a statement from the victim, Baty II had refused to stop the car, even after repeated requests for him to stop and let her out.
The vehicle was abandoned at a property on Upper Lake Rd.
Officers initiated a “code red” for members near Upper Lake for citizen safety, in case law enforcement had to enter the home of Baty II.
However, we determined that Baty II had most likely left the area.
Baty II is charged with felony offenses of Speeding to Elude and Kidnapping and a misdemeanor charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon (against the officer).
Anyone with information on Robert Baty II or his whereabouts is asked to contact the Highlands Police Department at 828.526.9431.
Chief Holland thanked the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the NC Highway Patrol and On-Site Towing of Cashiers, NC for their assistance.