PITTSBURGH — Police have confirmed that the man accused of a violent carjacking in downtown Pittsburgh is the same suspect who later crashed the stolen car into an occupied police vehicle in Philadelphia.
Malik Johnson, 24, is now facing multiple charges in both cities.
According to court documents, Johnson resides in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, but had made his way to Pittsburgh. On March 25, he reportedly carjacked a woman as she was parked outside of the Amtrak station on Liberty Avenue, waiting to pick up her boyfriend around 10 p.m.
Johnson demanded cash and ultimately threw the woman into the back seat and started the car, according to police. She managed to escape, with injuries, as Johnson took off.
Days later, he ended up in Philadelphia with the stolen white Toyota Camry, and allegedly pointed a gun at someone there amid a road rage incident. As Philadelphia officers pursued him, he took off, ultimately hitting an occupied police car and sending officers to the hospital. Those officers were ultimately released, and Johnson was taken into custody.
Court documents obtained by Channel 11 on Thursday reveal that Philadelphia and Pittsburgh police collaborated, and the victim in the local carjacking case was presented with a photo array of individuals. She reportedly identified Johnson as the same person who had attacked her.
Johnson remains in custody in Philadelphia, and is due in court there for a preliminary hearing in May. According to local officials, Pittsburgh officers will serve their arrest warrant after that case plays out.
This browser does not support the video element.