Police: Suspect arrested in Chandler after stealing car on Loop 202
PHOENIX (FOX 10) - A carjacking during the morning commute brought traffic to a standstill along the Loop 202 and became a scary ordeal for the man who stopped in the middle of the highway to help someone -- and then he became the victim.
"Crazy day, that's for sure."
It was an unexpected turn of events for Chad Lesueur who was driving on the highway on Wednesday when he saw what he thought was a broken down car.
Phoenix police say 36-year-old Carl Corder had just jumped the 202 barrier at 32nd Street and began pounding on the hood of a 63-year-old man's car that was stopped in the slow lane -- demanding him to get out of his vehicle.
"I got out to help.. to think I was pushing them off to help them get off the road.. because it's right in the heart of traffic.. and he came at me.. walking fast and jumped in my truck," said Lesueur.
Lesueur says the two began fighting and the suspect drove off with his business truck. As Corder began to drive away from the scene, Lesueur pulled out a gun and fired shots at his truck.
"I was thinking of my protection when I pulled the gun out," he said. "I was prepared for this situation, fortunately."
It is unclear how many shots Lesueur fired in the truck's direction, but the truck and Corder were found in Chandler. "I want everyone to know the truth about what's been done to me" was written on the truck.
"This right here, the writing.. this is what he did. I don't know where he got the time to do this," said Lesueur.
The westbound Loop 202 at 32nd Street was closed during the investigation.
Corder is being charged with robbery and auto theft.