Suspect In Raleigh Carjacking Arrested In Durham After Leading Police On Chase

The alleged carjacking took place on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh earlier Monday. Police said the suspect took off in the victim's 2-door Buick, headed down I-40 West, then onto the Durham Freeway, exiting onto Alston Avenue.

When the suspect turned off Alston onto Linwood, according to police, the car started smoking and caught on fire. Police then chased the suspect on foot for about 100 yards before catching him.

Residents on Linwood questioned why police chased the man all the way from Raleigh to Durham, potentially putting people at risk.

Police said they made the call to chase because they thought the suspect was violent.

"All this action just for a carjacking?" witness Janie Dortch said in Durham. "I can see if he murdered somebody or something like that. . . "

Said Capt. Dennis Poteat of the Raleigh Police Department: "Implying a weapon and taking vehicles from people, that's also considered violent. We had to take action."

A Raleigh officer reportedly injured himself during the foot chase. But he is expected to be O.K.