Anthony GeorgeA robbery and car chase in which the suspect collided with a U.S. Marshal vehicle before breaking through a gate at the airport led to the arrest of a validated gang member and two others Friday afternoon.
Police said Anthony Jermaine George, 27, a Gangster Disciple, robbed someone in the 2400 block of Kirby Avenue around 1 p.m. Authorities were told George drove away in a white Chrysler 300 with a Florida tag.
Later that day, officers with the fugitive unit and the U.S.Marshals saw a vehicle matching that description at the Greyhound bus station on Airport Road.
The driver left and turned north, then sped off as U.S. Marshals tried to stop the car. One marshal pulled in front of the car and tried to block the road, but the Chrysler hit the marshal's vehicle on the passenger side and kept going.
The fleeing driver crashed through a parking lot gate, hit two vehicles in the lot and smashed through another gate. He hit a police vehicle blocking the road at Airport Connector Road and Airport Road and headed south on Airport Road.
The Chrysler finally crashed at Chickamauga Avenue and East Brainerd Road. Three people jumped out and ran, but were caught. Along with George, Perry Thomas, 21, and Darious Woods, 20, were arrested.
George was carrying a pistol holster, crack cocaine and $570 in cash. According to the arrest report, he told police "someone told him to smash the gas," which is why he fled.
Two firearms, a Glock 22 .40-caliber and a Keltec 9 mm, were found in the car. The Glock was found to have been stolen in Chattanooga.
In addition to aggravated robbery and evading arrest, George faces two charges of aggravated assault and one charge each of reckless endangerment, possessing drugs for resale and leaving the scene of an accident with damage to the vehicle.
He has been placed on a $175,000 bond, according to employees at the Hamilton County Jail, and will appear in court on Sept. 15 before General Sessions Judge Lila Statom.