A bank robber has been behind bars after Hopewell Police said that they led them on a series of pursuits through the city on Friday.

Hopewell authorities said that officers had been called to the Hopewell Chemical Federal Credit Union just after 1:30 PM, on Friday for a report of a robbery.

Officers were able to find the suspect vehicle a short distance away from the crime scene and initiated a traffic stop. Hopewell Police said the suspect, identified as 22 years old Demetris Leshawn Russell, did not stop and led officers on a chase through the city.

That pursuit ended a short time later when Russell crashed into a parked car that someone was inside of near the intersection of South 8th Avenue and Atlantic Street.

As officers worked to contain the suspect, they said that Russell jumped into another vehicle and fled the area, which ended when the vehicle crashed into an embankment along the railroad tracks near the intersection of La Prade Avenue and South Main Street near the Hopewell Community Center where he was taken into custody.

Russell has been charged with robbery, grand larceny, felony hit and run, felony eluding and driving on a suspended license.

He is currently being held at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George without bond prior to his arraignment.

Captain Greg Taylor, Patrol Services Commander said  “It was through the officer’s rapid response and a coordinated effort that yet another offender was removed from the streets,”.

The driver of the parked car involved in the hit and run sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

By Prakriti Neogi