MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A video circulating on social media over the weekend showed officers detaining two men who allegedly stole a vehicle and crashed into a police car.
Click here to watch the video. WARNING: Explicit content
Court documents state that officers located driver Tobias Trent, 26, and passenger Eric Harris in a stolen 2010 Honda Civic around 4 p.m. at Showcase and Perkins on Jan. 7.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle but Trent crashed into the officer’s vehicle and fled the scene west bound towards Lamar, officials say.
Trent was continuing down Lamar when officers say they observed a gun thrown from the vehicle, striking one of their windshields.
Police continued the pursuit down Lamar. The chase came to an end after traffic held up the suspects near Tuggle Road.
Reports say officers gave the suspects verbal commands to get out of the car. Instead Trent was still trying to flee, police say Trent reversed in opposing traffic, striking an officer’s vehicle for a second time.
Officers exited their vehicle and attempted to detain the suspects, but the driver was still attempting to drive away. MPD said Trent was driving so recklessly that a backseat passenger fell out of the moving vehicle during a turn.
Police were able to open the car doors after they broke the windows of the vehicle. Both suspects continued to resist arrests.
This is when the viral video began, showing officers using batons before detaining them. Both suspects were taken into custody. The video has since been viewed more than 100,000 times on social media.
Police later observed a gun sitting under Harris and possible stolen merchandise and tools inside of the trunk after it was towed.
Properties included:
- SCCY cpx2 9mm handgun
- Hornady Critical Defense Ammo
- Crimson Trace weapon laser light
- Spartan weapon laser light
- DeWalt drill
- DeWalt circular Saw,
- Dewalt impact drill
- Kobalt impact wrench
- Sony earbuds(2)
- Sony headphones(2)
- Bose earbuds(2)
- Bose headphones(2)
- Nest temperature sensor
- Propane torch
Trent was found to be a convicted felon for charges dating back to 2018 including theft, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. He also showed to have a revoked driver’s license.
Harris was also found to be a convicted felon from a crime committed in Texas.
Both suspects were charged with convicted felon of a handgun and evading arrest.
Trent was additionally charged with multiple crimes including three counts of aggravated assault, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving and theft of property.
Memphis police have not said what, or if anything, will happen to the officers involved in the arrests, but they are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
