Carjacking suspects tracked by ‘copter
Two men suspected of carjacking a 2001 Volkswagen Bug were arrested late Saturday after being pursued by a sheriff's helicopter.
Less than 24 hours after helping nab a suspect in a police chase, Air-1 helped arrest Joseph Andrew Johnson, 20, and Lee Jackson Crider, 30, Saturday night on accusations they'd stolen a car in the 9310 block of East 1st Ave. on April 28.
Later, a man told police he confronted three men who were driving a Bug on April 29 and that all men had a "tweaker" look to them, court documents say.
One man man pointed a gun at him and tried to steal his car, but the man escaped to a gas station and called 911. Police responded to a report of a robbery late Saturday near 1st and Willow, then to a smilar report later in the area of Cataldo Avenue and Bowman Road. Police contacted Johnson, who said he'd paid $100 for the car but admitted to being involved in a fight at 2st and Willow.
Johnson said a gun was involved but said he didn't carry it. Johnson was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, as well as a bag of meth found in the battery compartment of Johnson's cell phone, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Witnesses identified Johnson and Crider as walking away from the Bog. The sheriff's helicopter spotted them in a grassy area near Park on the south side of Interstate 90.
Inside the Bug, police found a machete, which one victim said was used to threaten him.