A man suspected in a carjacking was arrested Sunday after a he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and fled on foot from district officers, New Orleans police said Monday.
Robert D. Johnson, 21, was arrested for possession of a stolen car and flight from a police officer at approximately 7:30 a.m. on the 3100 block of Lafitte Street, officer Gary Flot said in a release.
Johnson was wanted for a Dec. 23 carjacking on the corner of Jeff Davis and Gravier Street, according to police.
During the carjacking, a woman was exiting her black 2014 Dodge Avenger when she was approached by two men, according to police. One of the men produced a gun and demanded her car, and once the woman complied, the suspects stole her car, police said.
On Sunday, First District and Mid-City Security District Officer John Urrutia was on patrol when he saw a man driving erratically, according to the report.
When the driver saw the officer, he attempted to flee, but hit a stop sign and a fire hydrant on the corner of Tolouse and North Gayoso streets, police said.
Johnson got out of the car and attempted to run away on foot, but after a chase he was caught by responding officers, Flot said in the report.
Johnson was also wanted for theft and domestic abuse battery, according to Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s office.
The case is on-going and detectives are investigating to determine if Johnson was involved in the car-jacking, police said.
