Gwinnett PD seek carjacking suspect who attacked woman with chair

Gwinnett County Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a suspect who attacked a woman in Lawrenceville with a chair before stealing her car. The carjacking happened at about 6 a.m. on June 22, 2017 at the Britain Woods Apartment Complex on Old Norcross Road in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

According to a press release from Gwinnett County Police Department, the woman noticed the man working on a chair as she was leaving her apartment to get into her car, a 2001 black Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He proceeded to strike her on the back of the head with the chair, causing her to fall to the ground. He then grabbed her keys and pointed a gun at her, speeding away in her car as she ran away. The vehicle was listed as stolen on GCIC. On July 9, Jeffery Merritt, 35, was arrested by Doraville Police on unrelated charges during a traffic stop and the vehicle was impounded. However, since the license plate was different, Merritt was able to bond out of jail the following day and leave with the car. The discrepancy between the license plate and the car was discovered later, and Doraville PD notified GCPD. A photo line up identified Merritt as the alleged carjacker and four warrants have been secured for his arrest. He is charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle and battery.

Merritt is still on the run and is considered armed and dangerous.  If anyone knows the whereabouts of Jeffery Merritt the are asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.  Case Number:  17-057004