Alleged airport shuttle hijacker Joseph McHenry didn’t do a very good job of escaping unnoticed — or driving a large bus — according to an incident report released Wednesday by Atlanta police.
One witness told police McHenry tried to hijack his bus Sunday morning before commandeering another at gunpoint curbside at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, telling driver Jillian Olawumi he needed to get to College Park. Before leaving the airport, McHenry, 27, rammed into a taxi cab, the report states.
It wouldn’t be the last crash.
McHenry eventually made it to a Best Western motel in College Park, where it appeared he was cornered by police. He escaped, but not before striking a large power transformer box with the bus, causing a fire, police said. The wreck also left the vehicle’s front bumper stuck on a curb, but McHenry was able to dislodge the vehicle, clipping the rear of a police SUV before fleeing onto Riverdale Road, authorities said.
The chase ended on I-75 northbound at Central Avenue after an APD officer in pursuit shot at McHenry from his car, which the suspect had just tried to hit by making an “aggressive maneuver” with the bus, police said. A .22 revolver was recovered soon after from the Best Western parking lot, according to the incident report.
Contrary to information released to the media Sunday, according to the incident report, there is no indication that the suspect fired shots at police during the pursuit, Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said Wednesday.
McHenry was taken to Clayton County Jail and charged with hijacking a motor vehicle, possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime and aggravated assault.
No serious injuries were reported.
About the Author
