Police say suspect in crime spree is still on the run

Memphis police are investigating after the same suspect allegedly committed numerous robberies early Sunday morning, including assaulting at least two elderly people, before crashing his Lexus into a fence and fleeing, officials said.

The incidents began just before 7 a.m. when the suspect apparently tried to rob the Exxon at 2905 Kirby. Police said the suspect paid for a purchase, but when the clerk opened the cash tray, he jumped the counter and grabbed an unknown amount of money. The suspect, believed to be around 50 years old, then fled west on Quince in a four-door Lexus that had spray paint on it, police said.

About a half-hour later, police said, the same man struck again about four miles away in the 5300 block of Dee Cove. The victim, an 87-year-old man, told police he was leaving to go to church when the suspect walked up and threw him to the ground. While the victim was on the ground, police said, the suspect stole several items, then fled while the victim yelled for help. The victim wasn’t seriously injured and declined to be treated, police said. Family members declined to speak about the assault Sunday.

Then, less than five minutes later and just a few houses away, police said, the same man struck again, this time at Dee and Estate. An 88-year-old man told police he was sitting in the passenger seat of his car when the man jumped into the driver‘s seat and tried to force him out. The suspect then drove off, trying to force the elderly man out of the car, police said. When they reached Dee and Wilmore, the suspect managed to push the man out of the car, although he wasn’t seriously injured. Police soon found the car, but received reports of more robberies in the area.

Shortly afterward, a little after 8:30 a.m., police responded to a crash at Quince Road and West Crestwood. Officers found the suspect’s Lexus after he drove through a chain-link fence. The suspect was still on the run Sunday.