A Gainesville man is being held in the Hall County Jail following his arrest on a string of charges stemming from several incidents over the past two weeks, including two stolen vehicles, aggravated assault, and fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer (2 counts).
Blake Butch Lark, 33, was arrested Monday in a subdivision at McEver Road and Browns Bridge Road following a manhunt that involved several state and local law enforcement agencies.
HALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE:
“ARREST
Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies arrested Blake Butch Lark, 33, of Gainesville, on Monday evening, June 17, in the 3000 block of Saint Charles Avenue of off GA 369/Browns Bridge Road. Deputies had responded to the area on the report of a sighting of Lark, who had numerous warrants for his arrest. Gainesville Police (GPD), the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office all assisted with locating Lark.
JUNE 4
Lark’s string of crimes began on the morning of June 4 in the 6000 block of Shadburn Ferry Road when he pointed a handgun at a female victim, 42, and threatened to shoot her, stole another victim’s wallet and keys and then stole a car. Deputies obtained the following arrest warrants for Lark:
- Theft by taking (felony)
- Aggravated assault (felony)
- Terroristic threats/acts (felony)
- Theft by taking (misdemeanor)
JUNE 5
In the early morning hours of June 5, deputies spotted Lark driving the stolen car in the 900 block of GA 53/Dawsonville Highway. Deputies attempted a traffic stop by using blue lights and sirens, but Lark continued driving and eluded arrest. Deputies secured warrants for the following charges related to June 5
- Fleeing/attempting to elude police officer (felony)
- Reckless driving (misdemeanor)
Lark at some point abandoned the stolen car, and deputies recovered it on the afternoon of June 5.
JUNE 14
On Monday evening, June 14, deputies responded to a threat report in the 6000 block of Shadburn Ferry Road, the same location as the June 4 incidents. According to that initial investigation, Lark had again threatened to shoot the same 42–year-old female victim. Deputies procured an arrest warrant for terroristic threats/acts (felony).
JUNE 16
On the morning of June 16, Lark stole an SUV in the 2000 block of Jack Bryant Road. Later that evening, (June 16) deputies spotted the SUV and attempted a traffic stop using lights and sirens in the area of Spring and Skelton Roads, but Lark again drove off. Deputies found the abandoned SUV in the 2000 block of Pine Circle Drive. Deputies, assisted by DNR, GPD, GSP and University of North Georgia Police, searched for Lark in the area but were unable to find him. Deputies obtained arrest warrants for the following charges for the June 16 offenses.
- Theft by taking (felony)
- Fleeing/attempting to elude police officer (felony)
- Failure to stop at stop sign (misdemeanor)
- Failure to maintain lane (misdemeanor)
- Suspended registration (misdemeanor)
- Driving while license suspended (misdemeanor)
- Reckless driving (misdemeanor)“