Bessemer Man Nabbed After Tuscaloosa Carjackings, Escape

Tuscaloosa AL

09 December, 2020

9:37 AM

Description

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — A Bessemer man has been arrested and charged after two carjacking incidents reported Thursday in Tuscaloosa. The Tuscaloosa Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division has charged Deantrez Sanders, 19, with two counts of first-degree robbery, but TPD says he is expected to face more charges as the investigation continues. TPD said in a press release on Wednesday that Sanders allegedly used a handgun in robbing two women in separate incidents on Dec. 3 and stealing their cars. Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app. Investigators say Sanders also was involved in several incidents that occurred in Bessemer later that night. Sanders was taken into custody by Bessemer Police following those offenses, but reportedly escaped while being transported to jail. He was eventually recaptured Monday morning and transported to Tuscaloosa Tuesday. According to TPD, the first victim called 911 just after 9 p.m. Thursday to report that she had been robbed and had her vehicle stolen. The victim said she was parked at the Oliver Lock and Dam in the 500 block of 43rd Avenue when four subjects in a white car backed into a parking space beside her. She then said a man exited the vehicle and approached her holding a handgun, before demanding her money and personal items. TPD says the suspect took the victim's money, phones and other property before driving off in her 2004 Honda Accord, leaving the woman to walk several miles away to a business to call 911. About 20 minutes after the carjacking on 43rd Avenue, another woman called 911 to report that she was robbed by a man in a mask as she was pumping gas at a business on 15th Street. The victim said the male suspect approached her, saying she had dropped something on the ground, before demanding she hand over "all her stuff." Similar to the initial carjacking, the suspect took the victim's phone and purse before leaving in her 2020 Dodge Challenger. Police say the suspect arrived at the gas station in the same Honda Accord that belonged to the woman robbed at the dam. TPD also pointed out that one of the other occupants drove the vehicle from the scene, with the car eventually recovered in Bessemer on Dec. 4. Investigators said further charges are expected in this case. Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.