The Apopka Police Department responded to a call this morning in which a man armed with an assault rifle carjacked a woman, the APD said. After a car chase and pursuit, the suspect was arrested by the APD. He is currently being interviewed at the APD Headquarters.
"Kudos to our dispatch unit," said APD Chief Michael McKinley. "After being notified of the crime, they put the vehicle description out. The Apopka High School (SRO) Officer left the high school to do an area check and saw the vehicle traveling southbound on Vick Road.
Officers chased the carjacker, whose identity hasn't been released, for several miles on South Orange Blossom Trail, according to Sgt. Kim Walsh, the Public Information Officer for the APD.
"The suspect sped and drove in the wrong direction during a portion of the pursuit," Walsh said.
"He led us on a chase," said Mc Kinley. "He traveled in the wrong direction briefly on 441. We made sure we did not pursue him in that direction. We kept the community safe while at the same time apprehending him."
Police said the driver crashed the stolen car into a police cruiser after an officer performed a pit maneuver. Investigators said the suspect ran into a nearby home, stole a cellphone and changed clothes before running away. Police said the family in the home was uninjured.
"The suspect ran from the home and was taken into custody," Walsh said.
McKinley was impressed with the effort of the APD.
"Our control units had a very quick response as well as our tactical units, and our criminal investigation units," he said. "They secured the area, and with the help of the Orange County Sheriff's K-9 unit, and the APD K-9 unit, we were able to locate the individual, and he is now under arrest."
No other details were given. This is a breaking news story and will be updated by The Apopka Voice as more details are known.
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