Police say an AK-47-wielding carjacking suspect is now in custody after a chase across East Nashville with Metro police officers, helicopter, and SWAT team.
Officials say, Robert L. Johnson, 18, was arrested Saturday night in East Nashville after an officer spotted Johnson driving a Hyundai Genesis sedan in the East Nashville area. The car had been stolen earlier in that day with the keys inside.
Johnson ignored officer's attempts to stop him, jumping the curb and speeding away.
Monitored by the MNPD helicopter, Johnson drove on Ellington Parkway for a few miles before getting off the highway and crashing into a utility pole on Briarville Road.
He walked to a nearby gas station and carjacked a 22-year-old man at gunpoint, taking off in the man's 2013 Ford Fusion.
Johnson drove the second car to Charter Village Apartments off Rio Vista Drive in Madison where he reportedly invaded one of the residences and barricaded himself from police. The residents of that apartment were able to flee safely.
Ground and SWAT team officers arrived at the scene. They gave Johnson repeated commands to surrender with which he eventually complied.
After Johnson's arrest, officers were able to recover both stolen vehicles and his gun, an AK-47.
Johnson was charged with robbery/carjacking, felony evading arrest, two counts of auto burglary, aggravated criminal trespassing, and four counts of violation of probation (stemming from arrests in March and April). Additional charges are expected.
Johnson is being held in lieu of an $87,500 bond.
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