Hunt for suspect ends with capture

A Fair Play man, the object of a search this week in northeast Georgia, was placed in the Oconee County jail.  County arrest records show Timothy Chad Merck charged with kidnapping, assault and battery first degree, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and pointing and presenting firearms at a person.  After being alerted about a suspicious vehicle near I-85, Franklin County, Georgia deputies conducted a manhunt  behind the Pilot Truck Stop off highways 59 and 106.  At first, 39-year old Merck was held in the Franklin County jail and was booked yesterday afternoon into the Oconee Detention Center.