Suspect arrested after carjacking victim outside Alpharetta church

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Alpharetta police have arrested a man suspected of carjacking a victim at gunpoint in a church parking lot.

Jason Taratoot faces several charges, including reckless driving, attempting to flee authorities, possession of controlled substances, possession of drug-related objects, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said the carjacking happened around 8:21 p.m. Friday at the St. James Methodist Church. Taratoot "held the victim at gunpoint and stole a green Kia Soul," the department wrote on their Facebook page.

An Alpharetta officer later spotted the vehicle driving southbound on Georgia 400, officials said. Taratoot refused to stop, and a brief chase ensued.

Authorities ended the chase by conducting a pit maneuver inside parking deck of the North Springs Marta Station in Sandy Springs.The suspect tried to flee, but was apprehended by a police canine.

“Our investigation revealed the captured suspect was a wanted fugitive out of Cherokee County,” the department wrote.

According to the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, Taratoot also faces numerous felony charges, including aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen firearm.

No injuries were reported.