2 Known Gang Members Arrested Thursday After Fleeing A Traffic Stop

  • Thursday, February 11, 2016
Darius Blakemore
Darius Blakemore

Earlier on Thursday an officer with the Chattanooga Police Department's Neighborhood Policing Division initiated a traffic stop on a known violent criminal. The stop ended in the arrest of two validated gang members. 

 At the corner of Citico Avenue and North Chamberlain Avenue an officer observed a vehicle traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle matched the description of a possible suspect vehicle from the shooting which occurred on the 5200 block of Brainerd Road on Feb. 3.

 The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle for multiple traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle pulled into a driveway on the 500 block of Kilmer St. When the officer exited his vehicle to approach the suspect vehicle, the suspect attempted to flee but was trapped and unable to continue forward. 

 The suspect then put the car in reverse and sped toward the officer who was standing outside his vehicle, narrowly missing the officer. The officer was able to take cover from the speeding suspect behind his patrol vehicle. At this time the officer observed that there was a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle. 

 The suspect fled and the officer was unable to pursue him. The officer began patrolling the area and was able to locate the suspect again on Glenwood Parkway.

 The officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Glenwood Parkway and once again the suspect fled from the officer. Additional officers were in the area assisting with the attempt to locate and stop the violent suspect. Secondary officers observed the suspect and were able to catch up to him. 

 The suspect's reckless driving caused him to hit an unoccupied parked vehicle at the 2400 block of Vine Street. He eventually lost control of his vehicle and wrecked on the 1100 block of Wheeler Avenue. He fled on foot, but was apprehended by investigators from the Street Crimes Response Team. 

 The back seat passenger, who had been shot in December and was wearing a leg brace, was unable to run and remained with the vehicle. He was arrested for outstanding warrants.

Montrell Crayton (AKA Montrell Franklin), 17, was charged with aggravated assault with a vehicle, felony evading arrest, failure to signal turn, stop sign violation, speeding, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on revoked license, and resisting arrest.

Darius J. Blakemore, 26, was charged with possession of drugs for resale, possession of drugs for resale (Cocaine). These charges were on outstanding warrants.

Chief of Police Fred Fletcher said, "Our officers did an outstanding job catching these bad guys and I am glad these criminals did not harm one of my officers. We will be working closely with all our law enforcement partners to urge that these known violent gang members stay off our streets." 

Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this arrest to call 423 698-2525.  The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when available.

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