HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man says his quick thinking helped him escape an armed carjacker who took him on a 2-mile ride and a high-speed police chase.
A Rice Military carjacking turned into a frightening ride through Houston after a dog walker said an armed man forced him to move over in his own car. The victim, James Cichon, told ABC13 he secretly stayed on the phone with 911 while giving the suspect directions.
Houston police arrested 18-year-old DeShawn Johnson after a crash along Washington Avenue. Investigators said Johnson faces several charges, including aggravated kidnapping and robbery.
Rice Military Carjacking Began After Work
Cichon said he had finished a day of dog walking for work in the Rice Military neighborhood when the incident began. He had only been inside his car for about a minute when he heard a knock on the window.
According to Cichon, the armed man told him to move over and said they were going for a ride. The suspect also warned him not to do anything reckless.
Cichon told ABC13 he stayed calm and quickly called 911. He turned the call volume all the way down so no sound would come from his phone.
That decision gave dispatchers a way to listen as the incident unfolded.
Victim Used Directions to Help Police
Cichon said the suspect did not know the area well and asked for help with directions. Johnson had only lived in Houston for the past few months, according to the victim’s account.
While speaking to the suspect, Cichon also gave information that could help police find them. He described the route, the car and nearby landmarks during the call.
The victim said they would keep going east on Fagan, pass Durham, turn north on Shepherd and stop near the Circle K by Shepherd and I-10. He also mentioned the vehicle was a 2006 gold Lincoln Zephyr.
Those details helped 911 dispatchers understand where the car was headed.
Chase Ends With Crash on Washington Avenue
By the time Johnson realized police knew about the carjacking, investigators already had a vehicle description and a general location.
Cichon said Johnson became angry and accused him of calling law enforcement. The slow ride quickly turned dangerous.
The victim told ABC13 they went from traveling about 10 to 15 miles per hour to about 50 to 60 miles per hour. He said Johnson also drove the wrong direction down a one-way street.
The chase ended when the vehicle crashed along busy Washington Avenue. Police arrested Johnson after the crash.
Cichon’s car was totaled, but he survived the ordeal.
Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
Investigators said Johnson faces charges that include aggravated kidnapping and robbery. Court proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.
Cichon’s account shows how quickly a routine workday can turn dangerous. It also shows how communication with dispatchers can help police track a moving emergency.
Cichon credited the dispatchers who stayed with the call. He also said the suspect made several mistakes that gave him a chance to help law enforcement.
“He made a lot of mistakes. I outwitted the man,” Cichon told ABC13.
For Houston residents, the case is a reminder to stay aware in parking areas and call 911 when it is safe to do so. In this case, one quiet phone call helped officers locate the victim and arrest the suspect.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.