Man wanted for murder, arson in custody after multi-county car chase, GBI says

Deputies captured a suspect who was wanted for murder and arson after a car chase that went through two counties in central Georgia.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation put out a be on the lookout notice for 31-year-old Joel Jared Butler.

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Butler is accused of killing 49-year-old William Harrell on Wednesday at a home off Old River Road in Eastman.

Investigators say he then set the house on fire.

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The sheriff’s office says he was also wanted for an aggravated assault case that happened the day before the fire.

On Thursday, officials in Bleckley County spotted Butler. He started a car chase with law enforcement that ended the next county over in Twiggs County.

Butler currently faces malice murder and arson charges. Investigators said they expected additional charges.

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