Woman arrested hours after being placed on TBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list

Desiree Hester
Desiree Hester
photo Desiree Hester
photo Tyrell Flenoy

Following a local high-speed chase and a carjacking, Desiree Alexus Hester has been arrested in Nashville, after landing on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Top 10 Most Wanted list.

The 19-year-old, who is from Nashville, was taken into custody around 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to a TBI press release. She is wanted by the Chattanooga Police Department on charges of carjacking and aggravated assault.

She allegedly stole a car and injured the owner by striking her with the vehicle.

Tyrell Flenoy, 20, who was driving the car involved in the chase, also fled the scene but has not yet been apprehended.

Hester and Flenoy are both members of the Bloods gang, according to an official with the TBI, and Flenoy should be considered armed and dangerous.

The high-speed chase began Monday around 4:45 p.m. in Catoosa County, Ga., and continued until troopers with the Georgia State Patrol forcefully stopped the car near the ridge cut on westbound Interstate 24, according to Sgt. Darren Gleaton with GSP.

Officials are still unclear why Flenoy, who is wanted on a federal probation violation, was driving recklessly and refused to pull the car over when authorities began to follow. Gleaton said attention was first drawn to the car because it was driving at high speeds, passing cars in the emergency lane.

Troopers rammed the car into the concrete barrier, but Flenoy escaped through a passenger window, Gleaton said. As Flenoy was climbing out the window, a handgun fell onto the pavement. Flenoy ran down a grassy embankment and toward Fourth Avenue, where he disappeared into a wooded area.

Gleaton said troopers tried to track him with dogs but were not successful.

Four females remained in the car, including Hester.

As troopers began to get them out, Hester escaped and ran toward Lyerly Street, where she stole the car. According to GBI officials, she does not have a previous criminal record.

The three others were interviewed and released, Gleaton said. No narcotics were found in the car, and the females do not face any charges.

"They said they had gone to pick the male up, and he said he was driving back, and the rest is history," Gleaton said.

Jennifer Bardoner contributed to this report.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

Upcoming Events