Smyrna police have arrested a man they say pulled over an alleged hit-and-run driver before restraining her at gunpoint.
John Carmichael Jr.’s actions “exceeded the scope of his authority as a concerned citizen,” authorities said.
Carmichael, who Channel 2 Action News reported is the former owner of a police supply shop, was arrested Wednesday and charged with impersonating an officer, unauthorized blue lights, aggravated assault, battery, false imprisonment, false statement and theft of service. The charges stem from an incident on the evening of May 1.
According to a news release issued by Smyrna police, Carmichael was listening to a “cloned police radio” that night when he heard that officers were responding to a possible hit-and-run. Carmichael then pursued the suspect in his own car — which was equipped with blue lights — and was able to pull her over, police said.
“After getting the suspected hit-and-run vehicle stopped,” police said, Carmichael “drew his firearm, pointed it at the hit-and-run suspect and proceeded to physically restrain the individual until Smyrna Police Department officers arrived on scene.”
Police said a six-week investigation into Carmichael’s actions began after the hit-and-run suspect filed an internal affairs complaint with the department.
Channel 2 reported that Carmichael was released from the Cobb County jail Thursday morning on $10,000 bond.
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