Victim helps police arrest suspected car thief after second car theft

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman who had her 2012 Hyundai Elantra stolen twice helped police arrest a suspected thief after spotting his vehicle at a gas station two miles from her home.

Police said Alvin McKenzie, 43, was arrested after intentionally crashing the Elantra into another vehicle Monday at Getwell and Phisdale in East Memphis.

Officers said McKenzie refused to stop the vehicle and told them he was “going to hit some s—” just before the crash. A passenger in the car was able to escape.

The Elantra was stolen June 2 from outside a home in the 1100 block of Railton. The victim told officers the thief likely entered the car through the rear passenger window, which had been closed during a previous car theft.

The woman contacted police Monday when she spotted her Elantra parked near a gas pump in the 1600 block of Getwell.

MPD said two officers were slightly injured while trying to arrest McKenzie in the yard of a home in the 3200 block of Fizer.

McKenzie was charged with theft of property, reckless endangerment with a motor vehicle with a deadly weapon, eluding in an automobile, eluding on foot and resisting official custody.

McKenzie is due in court Wednesday.