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Cops: Man in construction van led police on chase, rammed cop car

Another cruiser was damaged when an officer performed a PIT maneuver to bring the man under control.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- What started off as an attempted traffic stop quickly escalated, police said, after a wanted man allegedly under the influence led officers on a chase and rammed one of their cruisers.

According to the Alpharetta Police Department, Ely Gomes Araujo, 38, now faces several traffic-related violations related to the overnight incident.

Police said they saw Araujo driving a truck loaded with construction equipment erratically and dangerously during the morning of Aug. 4. When officers tried to pull him over, they said Araujo refused to stop, triggering a chase.

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The chase continued all the way to Araujo's apartment complex, officials said, where he used his access card to open the gate. The suspect allegedly told police he was trying to "make it to his house."

During the chase, police said Araujo rammed a police car. Another cruiser was damaged when an officer performed a PIT maneuver to bring Araujo under control.

Police arrested the 38-year-old, who they found was also here illegally. Alpharetta Police charged him with fleeing and eluding, DUI alcohol less safe, reckless driving, obstruction, traffic light violation, passing in a no passing zone, driving on the wrong side of the road and failure to maintain lane.

He was then booked into the Fulton County Jail.

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