The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate attempted carjackings that happened Saturday in Ooltewah and Middle Valley, according to a news release.
At 11:50 a.m., deputies responded to reports of an attempted carjacking on Double Eagle Court in Ooltewah. Deputies met the alleged victim at a Wendy’s on Ooltewah-Georgetown Road.
According to the news release, she told deputies that when she and her three children arrived home at 11:45 a.m., a black SUV parked behind her, blocking her driveway.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County DA seeks to prosecutes juveniles as adults in carjacking cases)
A man got out, walked into her garage and attempted to open her passenger side door, she said. As she attempted to reverse and exit the property, the man returned to his vehicle and backed up. She then drove through her yard and left while the man remained in his vehicle and headed toward Snow Hill Road, she told authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office is still seeking the man, who authorities said is shown in video and photos released of him taken from a doorbell camera.
Later, at 2:40 p.m., deputies were called to the 6000 block of Middle Valley Road on a separate attempted carjacking report.
(READ MORE: Man charged after CARTA bus carjacking in Chattanooga)
According to the release, a woman was shopping at the Dollar General Store while her 13-year-old son waited outside in a vehicle.
When she returned to her vehicle, a man tried to open the passenger side where the teen was sitting. She screamed at the man who “appeared to be trying to get her son out of the vehicle.” The man then began to chase her, and she got back in her vehicle and drove to a nearby gas station to call the police.
The suspect again ran towards the vehicle and tried to open the door. The woman then drove to another gas station to wait for authorities.
Based on her description, deputies located a suspect nearby, later identified as Christopher Coleman.
(READ MORE: Man pulled shotgun, directed driver in alleged carjacking on Chattanooga bus)
The release states that he refused to cooperate with deputies and was arrested. Coleman is charged with aggravated kidnapping and carjacking.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incidents don’t appear to be related.
— Compiled by Tierra Hayes
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office / Police say this image from a doorbell camera shows a suspected carjacker on Double Eagle Court on Saturday.