Armed Carjacking Suspect Arrested Following Police Chase

ALPHARETTA, GA -- The suspect accused of carjacking a resident in a church parking lot Friday evening in Alpharetta was arrested after a police chase down GA-400.

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said officers received a call about the carjacking around 8:21 p.m. at St. James Methodist Church at 3000 Webb Bridge Road.

The suspect, the agency said on its Facebook page, held the victim at gunpoint and stole a Kia Soul. An Alpharetta officer spotted the vehicle driving southbound on S.R. 400 and attempted to pull over the vehicle (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

The suspect, however, "refused to stop which resulted in a short vehicle pursuit," the department added. The pursuit was cut short when police conducted a PIT maneuver inside the North Springs MARTA station parking deck in Sandy Springs. Undeterred by the actions, the suspect attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by one of the police K-9's.

Officers also learned the male subject was a wanted fugitive out of Cherokee County, the department added.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Jason Taratoot of Woodstock, will be charged with several felonies, including aggravated assault, armed robbery, fleeing and attempting to elude police, speeding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a knife or a firearm during the commission of a felony, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen firearm.

"Thankfully no one was hurt and the dangerous suspect is now off the streets and in jail," the department added.

Photo: Jason Taratoot. Credit: Fulton County Jail