Armed carjacking suspect arrested after manhunt in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Police have arrested the suspect in an armed carjacking that led to a manhunt Tuesday in and around Alexandria, Va.

The carjacking happened around 6 am at a BP gas station on East Drive and Telegraph Road. Officers say after a 36-year-old woman pulled into the gas station, the suspect approached her blue Nissan Rogue. Police say he pulled out a gun, threatened her and told her to get out of the car, which she did. She was not harmed.

According to investigators, the suspect drove off in the woman's SUV, and he was spotted by police nearby. When officers stopped him, he fled, striking a tree and four cars as he sped off. Police say he stopped at the dead end on Edgehill Drive, bailing out of the car and fleeing on foot. Investigators say they recovered a machete and a pellet gun from inside the stolen vehicle, but they believed the suspect was armed with another weapon, possibly a gun, when he fled.

Authorities searched for the suspect, now identified as 23-year-old John Holomon Russell, using patrol officers, K-9 units and a helicopter. A resident provided officers with an image of the suspect captured on their home security camera, and that image was broadcast to the public.

Just after 8 am, Russell was stopped while walking near Fairhaven Avenue and and North Kings Highway. Exclusive video of the incident obtained by FOX 5 DC shows the man in the back seat of a police cruiser following his arrest.

The search for the suspect began almost immediately after the carjacking. It delayed the opening of the Browne Academy day school on Telegraph Road by two hours. Parents of students say they received phone calls alerting them the situation. Mount Eagle and Cameron Run Elementary Schools were placed on "Secure the Building Status," meaning doors were locked and the staff remained inside. Traffic was delayed due to heavy police presence in the area while the search was underway.

Russell has no fixed address. He is charged with carjacking, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony speed to elude, four counts of misdemeanor hit and run and driving on a suspended license.

Anyone who witnessed the carjacking or who has any additional information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at (703) 246-7800, or Crime Solvers by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org. You can also text-a-tip by texting "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES (274637), or call 1-866-411-TIPS(8477). You may also call Fairfax County Police at (703) 691-2131.