A man accused of carjacking a woman at gunpoint, leading police on a 110-mph chase through Marietta and then crashing her stolen Mercedes-Benz into a tree has been indicted in connection with the May incident.
Francisco Cruz, 21, of Marietta, is one of two men accused of holding up the woman at her mother’s apartment complex on Franklin Drive and then wrecking the $39,000 car as he escaped police.
He was indicted Thursday on charges of hijacking a motor vehicle, armed robbery, fleeing or attempting to elude police, theft by receiving stolen property and obstruction of an officer, Cobb County court records show.
The incident occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on May 30, according to Cruz’s arrest warrant.
When stealing the car, he allegedly pointed a handgun at the woman and instructed her to leave her cellphone inside the vehicle, AJC.com previously reported.
RELATED: 1 arrested, 1 sought after carjacking and 110-mph chase in Marietta
The woman later used the “Find My iPhone” app to locate her stolen car and help police track down the suspects, authorities said. But when officers spotted the Mercedes, Cruz refused to stop.
Marietta police authorized a vehicle pursuit because of the severity of the crime, authorities said. Cruz then allegedly led officers on South Marietta Parkway and South Fairground Street at speeds above 110 mph.
The chase ended when the suspects crashed into a tree near Stephens Street and South Marietta Parkway, totaling the car, warrants show.
Police arrested Cruz after a brief foot chase, but his alleged accomplice was able to escape. As of Tuesday, the second suspect was still at large, Marietta police spokesman Officer Chuck McPhilamy said.
Detectives have named 18-year-old Ross Dijour as a person of interest in the case. Anyone with information on Dijour’s whereabouts is asked to contact Marietta police at 770-794-6900 or call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
Credit: Marietta Police Department
Credit: Marietta Police Department
The silver 9 mm handgun used in the May carjacking was later determined to be stolen, according to Cruz’s indictment.
He also faces a host of additional charges for allegedly attacking a Cobb County jailer in September along with two other inmates.
According to his warrant, Cruz and the other men repeatedly punched the deputy, leaving him bruised, bloodied and in need of medical treatment. The incident netted Cruz six more felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery against an officer, two counts of felony obstruction, criminal interference with government property and rioting in a penal institution, court records show.
Credit: WSB-TV
Credit: WSB-TV
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