Aiken County Sheriff's Deputies Search for Three Men | Aiken Area Public Safety and Court News

Police are searching for three men after a police chase ended Thursday morning on Bettis Academy Road near Graniteville.

Aiken County sheriff's deputies were called to assist the Columbia County (Georgia) Sheriff's Office in a chase that began across the river, said Capt. Eric Abdullah of the sheriff's office of Aiken County.

Columbia County Sheriff's deputies responded at 2:23 a.m. to a reported theft at a Jet Food store on Clarks Hill Road, said Capt. Andy Shedd of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

“We realized a real burglary was taking place and we began searching for the suspect vehicle we found,” Shedd continued. “It was a dark colored Chevrolet Tahoe. When we got behind it and tried to stop them, they got away from us.”

The driver and passengers got on Interstate 20 and entered Aiken County, Shedd continued.

Speeds were approaching 100 mph on the highway, Shedd said.

They exited the highway at Exit 11, Bettis Academy Road, he added.

The driver and two passengers abandoned the vehicle near the intersection of Bettis Academy Road and Springdale Road and fled on foot, Shedd and Abdullah said.

Bettis Academy Road and Springdale Road intersect north of Interstate 20 near one of Bridgestone's factories.

Deputies are currently searching the woods for the men, Shedd said.

“That’s where we are right now,” Shedd said.

Abdullah added that the scene was cleared by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, but there were still deputies in the area.

This story is making news. More information will be added as it becomes available.