Man Accused Of Carjacking Arrested In Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an August 18 carjacking in Jefferson County. Christian Gage Ridlehoover was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson county jail in Bessemer Wednesday.

Sgt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said deputies received a call Wednesday morning of a carjacking that had occurred Tuesday night. The victim told deputies that he had given a ride to an unknown man, and while driving to the location, as directed by the suspect, the victim’s vehicle began to have trouble.

Money said the victim got out of the vehicle and raised the hood. Once he closed the hood to return to the vehicle, he saw the suspect had climbed into the driver‘s seat and began to pull away. The victim attempted to grab hold of the vehicle and was dragged by the suspect for a period of time, Money said. The injured victim later walked to the Pleasant Grove Police Department for assistance.

Jefferson County Detectives began investigating the case and assisted the victim with getting treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the robbery. As the investigation continued, a suspect was identified from evidence collected. Detectives also began looking for the victim’s vehicle using flock camera technology.

The vehicle had been spotted in multiple locations throughout the county, according to reports. Money said deputies eventually found the vehicle on Allison-Bonnet Road In Jefferson County, and saw Ridlehoover walking with a gas can in his hands nearby.

Ridlehoover was arrested and charged with robbery and assault, and was taken to Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer, with bonds totaling $75,000.