Horatio Houston
Police on Wednesday arrested 18-year-old Horatio Houston after officers said he led them on a chase while driving a black Ford Expedition believed to have been involved in multiple drive-by shootings.
Houston, of 3825 Hixson Pike, is charged with evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of tampering with evidence, reckless driving, driving without a driver's license and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Houston and another person in the vehicle, a 15-year-old, were identified as validated members of the Gangster Disciples.
Officers said they were on routine patrol "working on an enforcement action team in order to target and reduce the number of gang-related shootings throughout areas of Chattanooga."
Police were at the intersection of Tunnel Boulevard and Shallowford Road when the black Ford Expedition drove by. Officers got within one vehicle of the Ford Expedition, then turned on blue lights. The Expedition sped away, turning sharply onto Ridgeside Road, then onto N. Germantown Road.
Officers saw a shiny object being thrown from the driver's side of the vehicle in the 300 block of N. Germantown.
The vehicle stopped at a gated driveway at 31 N. Germantown.
Occupants included Houston, the 15-year-old validated gang member, two 16-year-olds, and another 15-year-old.
Officers checking for what had been thrown from the vehicle located a small Swisher Sweet wrapper with a small amount of marijuana in it and a Glock 21 .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
A .45 caliber shell casing was found in the back of the Expedition.
All of the individuals were questioned. No one admitted tossing the marijuana or gun.
Police said it is believed that the black Ford Expedition was at the scene of a shooting on Sunday at 2658 Glass St. where a house was shot several times with a .45 caliber weapon.