Erwin Rogers
A man who was found to be armed with a handgun was chased by police early Saturday afternoon. He pushed shoppers out of the way during the pursuit, which included racing down an escalator.
Erwin J.
Rogers, 22, of 6111 Nottingham Dr., is facing multiple charges.
Around 1:50 p.m., Chattanooga Police officers working at the Hamilton Place Mall were made aware of a suspect attempting to use a stolen credit card to make a purchase.
Officers gave loud verbal commands for the suspect to stop. The suspect did not comply and instead attempted to flee by running. An officer working another area of the mall assisted by approaching the suspect and was able to slow his attempt to flee.
While apprehending the suspect officers discovered an object under his clothing. Once he was in custody, officers removed the object, which turned out to be a handgun. The suspect was transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.
CBL/Hamilton Place Mall has sign placed around the mall banning the carry of firearms on property.
Rogers is charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, evading arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, and carrying weapons in a public area.