Authorities are on the lookout for a man accused of using a Chevrolet Camaro to ram into a Memphis Police Department (MPD) patrol car. The incident reportedly took place around 2:30 p.m. on August 8, near the intersection of Knight Arnold Road and Perkins Road, as Local Memphis reported. Prior to the altercation, officers had attempted a traffic stop after noticing the Camaro as these models are often reported stolen, and the license plate on this particular vehicle was not on file.
Despite officers not engaging in a pursuit when the Camaro fled the initial stop, the same vehicle was located just 30 minutes later parked in a driveway in the 5200 block of Honeywood Avenue. As cited by FOX13 Memphis, an attempt to prevent the car from leaving the driveway culminated in the driver, allegedly 23-year-old Rashawn Gray, ramming the vehicle into an MPD squad car with an officer inside it. Commands issued by another officer for Gray to stop and exit the car were ignored before he backed up and fled the scene.
The following day, the police located the Camaro, showing front-end damage indicative of the collision with the police vehicle, parked behind a house on Meadows Lane. A warrant has been issued for Rashawn Gray, who is charged with aggravated assault on a first responder, evading arrest in a vehicle, and reckless driving, as per a statement obtained by WREG. The officers also claimed to have spotted a weapon in the Camaro during the encounter on Honeywood Avenue.
Memphis Police Department is actively encouraging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Rashawn Gray to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. The authorities have not provided additional details about the case.
