Police Arrest Suspected Shoplifter Who Fled Walmart, Stole Minivan

Dunwoody police have arrested a Stone Mountain man suspected of shoplifting a TV from Walmart who then fled when police tried to stop him, crashed into a vehicle and then stole the minivan of a motorist who stopped to help.

The Dunwoody Police Department has arrested Steven Jerome Jackson, 51, of Stone Mountain on charges of felony theft by taking auto, theft by shoplifting and hit and run. Jackson was arrested overnight by detectives and is currently at the DeKalb County Jail.

The incident began when police responded to a report of a shoplifting in progress at Walmart, 4725 Ashford Dunwoody Road, at about 10:51 a.m. Monday.

Store security workers told police the suspect, now believed to be Jackson, stole a television and left in a white Dodge Challenger. Officers saw the vehicle traveling southbound on Ashford Dunwoody Road near Perimeter Center North. When police attempted to stop Jackson's vehicle, he reportedly increased his speed and refused to stop for uniformed officers.

Jackson's vehicle continued southbound on Ashford Dunwoody at a high rate of speed while disregarding traffic lights, police said. He ran the red light at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive, crashing into another vehicle. Jackson lost control of his vehicle, which struck a light pole and came to rest in the northbound lanes of Ashford Dunwoody Road.

A passing driver stopped at the accident to help, but officers said Jackson took the victim’s minivan and fled the scene.

No weapon was shown during the incident and no injuries were reported.