NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk man awaits his sentence after a judge convicted him of eluding police in a stolen car while carrying concealed, loaded handguns last spring, the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office confirmed in a news release Wednesday.
On Monday, 18-year-old Jordan Richardson pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, receiving a stolen vehicle, and eluding police.
The incident happened on May 12, when a Norfolk police officer saw a black Kia Optima driving erratically in the 7800 block of Shore Drive. That's near the intersection with East Little Creek Road. The officer discovered the car was stolen after running its tags through the Virginia Criminal Information Network.
At a stop light, the officer pulled up next to the car and made eye contact with Richardson, the driver. After turning on his light and sirens to pull him over, Richardson sped off down East Little Creek Road, according to the release.
Richardson made an incomplete U-turn in an attempt to elude the officer and began driving eastbound in the opposite lanes of traffic. He crashed the Kia at the intersection of Pace Road and Faber Road, and ran away.
Police said they took Richardson into custody after he tried to hide in a recycling bin.
Officers found two loaded semiautomatic handguns inside Richardson's backpack, which was discarded in a backyard while he was running.
“Mr. Richardson committed multiple crimes, including making a situation worse by not pulling over when the police attempted to stop him,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Furthermore, the Second Amendment does not permit the carrying of weapons in unlawful ways. The illegal carrying of weapons is a danger to public safety, and we will seek a sentence appropriate to the seriousness of this case.”
Richardson's sentencing is currently scheduled for January 5.
