Report: Burglary Turns Into Carjacking, Police Chase in Snellville

Update: Snellville Police have determined that there was not a third suspect in the incident. Capt. Greg Perry said it was bad information given early on in the investigation.

Initial report, posted 8:09 p.m. Nov. 13: 

Two men were arrested Monday (Nov. 11) in connection to an armed robbery, carjacking and police chase in Snellville. 

According to Snellville Police spokesman Capt. Greg Perry, the accused are Atlanta residents Ben Kline Jr., 34, and Darrell E. Thomas, 20. Gwinnett County Jail records indicate that Kline has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary and hijacking a motor vehicle, and Thomas has been charged with burglary. 

Officers first responded to Crestwood Suites off Presidential Circle at 8:14 p.m. after receiving a call about three men breaking into a hotel room. 

Authorities were able to stop two of the men, Kline and Thomas, on a stairwell. Thomas was arrested at the scene, but Kline was able to get away after police found a handgun on him during a pat-down.

Officers chased the suspect behind the hotel and into the parking lot of The Presidential Market in front of Ross, according to police. Kline allegedly tried to hijack a Mountaineer occupied by a 40-year-old man and his 13-year-old daughter, but the driver pulled out a handgun and ordered Kline to step away from his car.

The suspect also attempted to steal a second vehicle, a red pickup truck, across the parking lot, but was unsuccessful. 

Finally, the suspect ran across Scenic Highway and got into the passenger seat of a Nissan Pathfinder stopped at a traffic light at Pharrs Road. Saying he had a gun and threatening to kill the driver, Kline allegedly forced the driver out, and police chased the suspect further down Scenic. 

The suspect struck one of the police cars, crossed the median and drove into oncoming traffic. He eventually moved back to his correct lane, but he struck the same police vehicle twice more before being hit from behind by a police car. 

The suspect ran from the vehicle and was caught a short distance from the crash. He had a stolen wallet from the man he allegedly burglarized at the hotel, and also a stun gun.

Snellville Police are asking that the driver of the red pickup truck to contact them at 770-985-3555.