Columbia teen led police on high-speed chase after carjacking, now he’s going to prison
A Columbia man is going to prison after being convicted of carjacking a vehicle at gunpoint and leading police on a high-speed chase through the city, the U.S. Attorney Office said.
Shawkeem Reese pleaded guilty Tuesday to using a firearm in furtherance of carjacking, acting U.S. Attorney Lance Crick said in a news release.
The 20-year-old was sentenced to seven years in prison, with no chance for parole, according to the release.
Reese was 18 when he was charged with carjacking, possession of a stolen pistol, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, hit and run (attended vehicle), failure to stop for blue lights, and driving without a license in June 2018, the Columbia Police Department said.
The teenager approached a person inside a Chrysler 300 and used a loaded gun when ordering the victim to get out, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Minutes after driving away, Reese was spotted by police in the stolen car on West Beltline Boulevard, according to the release.
Reese did not stop for blue lights and sirens as he sped away, police said.
With officers chasing him, Reese was going 110 mph on the city street before crashing into three parked vehicles at a car lot, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
After wrecking in the 4200 block of West Beltline, Reese ran from the Chrysler, but was arrested after a brief foot chase, according to police. That is a densely-packed area occupied by businesses and restaurants near the intersection with Two Notch Road.
After searching the Chrysler, officers found the loaded gun, something Reese is not allowed to possess because he was previously convicted for burglary and assault and battery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
In addition to his prison sentence, Reese faces three years of post-release supervision and must pay restitution to the victim of the carjacking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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