AR bank robbery suspect captured after chase into downtown Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A suspect is in custody after authorities say he robbed a bank in West Memphis, Arkansas, fled across the river in a stolen car, crashed and was caught near Riverside Drive in downtown Memphis on Friday.

Arkansas State Police say Freddie Najil, 35, was taken into custody just before noon Friday.

It started around 11:15 a.m., when West Memphis Police responded to a robbery at Evolve Bank and Trust at 310 Shoppingway Boulevard.

When officers arrived, Najil had fled the scene in a black Infiniti, armed with a handgun, city officials said.

Police tracked the vehicle driving eastbound on Interstate 55 toward Memphis, and state police spotted it crossing the bridge.

Officers from several agencies surrounded the vehicle, which crashed in Memphis.

Two charged with stealing $320k from business

Police say Najil jumped out and tried to get away on foot, but was captured at 11:50 after a foot pursuit on Riverside Drive by West Memphis Police and Arkansas State Police.

(above) Police are staged near Riverside Drive during the pursuit of a bank robbery suspect from Arkansas.

There was a heavy police presence set up on Riverside Drive, near where the RiverBeat Music Festival was getting started Friday.

Memphis Police said Najil was in a vehicle that had been reported stolen Thursday night from the Fresh Market on Union Avenue.

Lynn Bugg said her dog, a 15-year-old German Shepard/husky mix named Yoshi, was inside the car when it was stolen. She says she ran into the store for about 10 minutes and when she returned, her car and dog were gone.

While the car has been found, Yoshi is still missing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.