A man who stole an airport shuttle van at gunpoint was arrested after a brief chase Sunday, but not before striking a taxi, starting a brush fire and firing at pursuing police officers.
Atlanta police spokeswoman K.Y. Jones said the man pulled a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson International airport at about 3:15 a.m. after the shuttle driver and several taxi drivers refused to give him a ride.
The suspect, who has not been named, pulled a .22 handgun on the female driver of the shuttle van and instructed her to get out.
He then drove off in the shuttle, ramming a taxi in the process, said Jones.
Police immediately began pursuing the suspect, who struck a transformer on the corner of Phoenix Boulevard and Riverdale Road, causing a brush fire, said Jones.
Atlanta and Clayton County police were shot at during pursuit, said Jones.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody on I-75 northbound at Central Avenue.
No serious injuries were reported.
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