Police arrested one carjacker and are still searching for his accomplice after the pair crashed a stolen vehicle in the Central District on Sunday afternoon.
The victim told officers he had met the suspect a day earlier when he had given his nephew and the suspect a ride in his 1987 Buick La Sabre thinking they might be interested in buying it.
On Sunday, the suspect called the victim and they made arrangements to meet and sell the car. They met at a convenience store around 2 PM and the victim then drove the suspect and his accomplice back to his house to pick up the Buick’s title.
The suspect wanted to test drive the Buick again, so the victim moved to the passenger seat. After driving for a few blocks, the suspect suddenly stopped the car. His accomplice, who was sitting in the back seat, leaned forward and began choking the victim with a metal rod.
The victim fought back, but the suspects were able to push him out of the car and drive off. The victim flagged down a pedestrian and used their phone to call 911.
Officers located the stolen vehicle speeding down the street near 26 Ave and E Olive St about 10 minutes later. An officer witnessed the suspect collide with a parked car before he bailed out and took off running. The stolen car continued to roll down hill hitting two more cars, one of which was occupied by a woman and her toddler, who were not injured.
Police found a 16-year-old suspect in the passenger seat of the stolen Buick and took him into custody. Officers, including a K9 team, searched the area but were unable to locate the driver of the stolen vehicle.
Officers booked the 16-year-old suspect into the Youth Services Center for investigation of robbery and assault and continue to search for the other suspect.