By Adam Floyd
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Police are searching for a man who struck a probation officer with a car door and fled on foot Tuesday evening.
At approximately 7:53 p.m., the Valdosta Police Department responded to the intersection of Lowndes Drive and Pineview Drive in reference to a request for assistance from Valdosta State Probation, according to police reports.
Probation officers were conducting a check on one of their probationers, Wendell Baisden, 30.
Baisden was reportedly sitting in the passenger side of a vehicle when the probation officers approached the car and announced their presence, reports stated.
“As Baisden was seen leaning over toward the driver’s side, one of the probation officers opened the passenger door and told him to stop,” said Lt. Aaron Kirk with VPD. “Baisden put the car into gear and pushed the accelerator. The probation officer was struck by the car door and he fell to the ground.”
Baisden reportedly fled from the scene on foot.
VPD officers searched the area but were unable to locate him. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and complied with officers.
The probation officer struck by the car door was not seriously injured, according to the Valdosta State Probation Office.
VPD detectives are in the process of obtaining warrants for Baisden’s arrest. He was convicted in 2008 on possession of cocaine and marijuana charges, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts can contact VPD at (229) 293-3145. Anonymous calls can be made to (229) 293-3091.