Fast food robber still loose after false arrest in Phoenix

Reported by: ABC15.com staff
Last Update: 12/30/2008 2:57 pm

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Police continue to search for the man who robbed an east Phoenix Jack in the Box Monday night.

Authorities said they arrested a teenager after the robbery when he pulled out a handgun and ran from an officer, but he was later determined to be innocent in the robbery.

Police responded to the robbery call near 48th Street and McDowell Road just before 8 p.m.

The suspect reportedly fled southbound on foot along 48^th Street.

An officer driving northbound on 48^th Street noticed a man matching the general suspect description walking along the road. He ordered him to stop, according to police.

Authorities said 19-year-old Michael Chandler began to comply, but then produced a handgun.

The officer fired a shot at Chandler, who then fled into a neighborhood, according to a police report.

Patrol officers, canine officers, and officers from the Special Assignments Unit searched the area for the next 2.5 hours before locating Chandler at a residence on Portland Street, according to police.

Chandler reportedly surrendered without further incident and was booked into Maricopa County Jail for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Officials said they determined Chandler was not responsible for the armed robbery where the original call began.

It is still undetermined why Chandler chose to produce a handgun when confronted by police.

Investigators said they are still looking for a Black male who committed the armed robbery. He is described as 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, very long dark shorts, and white shoes with red accents.

No one was injured in that robbery.

Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents is encouraged to call Silent Witness at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S or (480) T-E-S-T-I-G-O.