Virginia Troopers: Armed robber steals SUV, leads officers on chase, rams cruiser, shoots at police

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. - A South Carolina man faces a slew of charges after authorities said he led police on a high-speed chase in a vehicle he robbed at gunpoint, rammed a police cruiser multiple times and fired at troopers in Spotsylvania County on Christmas Day.

Virginia State Police said 21-year-old Jerrell Richardson of Greenville, South Carolina robbed a 2015 Ford Escape at gunpoint at a gas station in Thomasville, North Carolina early Monday evening.

After a look-out notice was issued over the radio, officers spotted the vehicle at a gas station on Chamberlayne Avenue and Route 1 near Richmond, Virginia at about 9:40 p.m.

When officers approached the vehicle they said Richardson took off and led police on a chase up Interstate 95 which hit speeds of more than 120 mph. As he entered Spotsylvania County, detectives said Richardson rammed a state trooper's vehicle at least twice.

Richardson eventually bailed from the SUV as it was moving and ran toward the median, according to officials. As troopers chased Richardson on foot, they said he fired at them. One trooper returned fire as Richardson ran into a wooded area.

Interstate 95 was closed in both directions as troopers, K-9 units and a helicopter searched for Richardson. At about 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday, authorities said Richardson was found and taken into custody without further incident.

At the time of his arrest, troopers said they discovered Richardson had been shot during the exchange and was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was released from the hospital later Tuesday morning. There were no other injuries reported during the incident.

Detectives said they located a gun from the scene and marijuana in the SUV during their investigation.

Richardson has been charged with one felony count of eluding police, one felony count of assault on a police officer, possession of marijuana, driving without a valid operator's license, reckless driving and operating a vehicle without headlights.

Officials said Richardson was being held without bail and that additional charges were pending. Detectives said their investigation into the incident was ongoing.