Selma Police Chief after carjacking arrests tells criminals ‘we are not going away’

A carjacking in Valley Grande Tuesday night that ended with two arrests prompted a stern message to criminals from Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier.

“I want to be abundantly clear that we will not let up in our efforts,” Collier said in a statement. “The pressure placed on criminals will be steady, strong and persistent…we are not going away!”

Collier addressed the escalating crime issue in Selma, saying “the key to reducing crime is high officer presence, information sharing between law enforcement agencies and teamwork.”

Collier pointed to two details in August that demonstrate the necessity and success of collaboration and thanked AG Chief Investigator Jimmy Lambert for coordinating efforts to arrest the suspects of the carjacking.

Here is the Selma Police Department press release on the incident:

 At approximately, 10 p.m. Tuesday, Selma patrol officers were advised to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle out of Valley Grande, which was later determined to be a carjacking.

Within 20 minutes, officers were also dispatched to a robbery of an individual in the parking lot of Winn Dixie on Dallas Avenue.  Selma Investigators were already in the area and were able to ascertain a detailed description of the suspects and the vehicle they were driving.  It was determined that the suspects were armed with an AK 47 rifle, which matched the weapon used in the carjacking in Valley Grande.  

Selma officers located the suspect vehicle at a convenient store on Citizens Parkway.  One suspect, later identified as Tamica Hall (B/M age 19), was taken into custody on scene at the convenience store without incident. Two additional suspects fled on foot from the scene.

Additional Selma officers spotted the fleeing suspects as they arrived on scene and engaged both suspects in a foot pursuit.  One suspect, later identified as Rayford Mitchell (B/M age 19,) was running with a pistol in his hand.  After a lengthy foot pursuit, the suspects crossed Juniper St. and into the parking lot of Addison Way Apartments.  The lead pursuing officer confronted the Mitchell suspect, who was armed, at a fenced area behind the apartments.  Mitchell refused the officer’s multiple verbal commands to surrender and show his hands. Upon his refusal, the officer fired one shot from his service weapon.  Mitchell was not struck but did immediately surrender.  Mitchell was taken into custody as the third suspect escaped.  Investigator’s recovered a 9 mm pistol with a 25 round extended magazine that Mitchell was brandishing during the foot pursuit.  

Chief J.S. Collier and additional investigators arrived on the scene to assist.  The State Bureau of Investigation was requested to review the officer discharging his firearm while apprehending the suspect.  Chief Collier stated, “I was on scene with our officer less than a minute after he fired at the suspect.  Given the totality of the circumstances and considering the suspect was armed during the foot chase, his continuous refusal to obey the officer’s commands and the officer’s knowledge of the multiple violent offenses the suspects just committed; I am convinced the officer’s actions were justified and appropriate.  However, in an effort of full transparency, I requested SBI to review the incident.”  

Mitchell was charged with Robbery 1^stDegree, Receiving Stolen Property 1^stDegree, Receiving Stolen Property 2^ndand Attempting to Elude Police.  Mitchell was processed into the Dallas County Jail with no bond for the Robbery 1^stcharge.  The bond on his remaining charges totaled $66,000.00.

Hall was charged with Robbery 1^stDegree, Receiving Stolen Property 1^stDegree and Receiving Stolen Property 2^ndDegree.  Hall was also processed into the Dallas County Jail with No Bond for Robbery 1^stDegree and a $60,000 bond for the remaining charges.

The vehicle driven by the suspects was verified as stolen and Investigators recovered an AK 47 inside the vehicle that was also stolen.  The investigation is ongoing as Selma PD is in the process of identifying the third suspect.  Chief Collier announced that additional charges are likely.  Additionally, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the carjacking that occurred in Valley Grande.

Chief Collier concluded by stating, “These three suspects’ needless and senseless violence against innocent citizens only served to terrorize.  They are absolute cowards and we are committed to catching the remaining suspect. I am proud of the prompt response of our officers and their efforts to apprehend the suspects.”