Chattanooga carjacking suspect captured

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man has been arrested on a warrant in connection to an alleged carjacking that happened this past Sunday in the 1100 block of East 3rd. Street.

The suspect has been identified by police as Joshua Merciers, 26.

According to an affidavit obtained by News 12, Merciers took a woman’s vehicle and forced her to drive him to a designated location then left the area on foot.

The victim told police, she parked her car in a parking lot that was located across the street from Erlanger and went inside a nearby building. When she came back out, she said she observed her car being driven out of the lot by Merciers. She also told police he was having trouble operating a stick shift and that she confronted him.

According to the victim, Merciers told her to “get in the (expletive) car.”

The woman said she feared for her life so she obeyed his commands.

The victim drove Merciers to the Chatt Inn motel where he exited the vehicle and left the area on foot.

Erlanger security was able to get a name on the suspect and a photo lineup was made with Merciers photo included.

The victim identified Merciers and warrants were taken out for his arrest.

Merciers was charged with one count of carjacking and booked into the Hamilton County jail on a $75,000 bond

Hamilton County court documents show that Merciers was arrested 10 days before the alleged carjacking on several charges that included:

• Criminal impersonation
• Driving on a revoked license
• Another traffic violation

Merciers was already scheduled to appear in court on November 11 to answer for those charges.

Hamilton County court records also show that Merciers has a prior conviction for three counts  theft.