Police: Man who tried to steal car outside Little Rock gas station struggles with owner before being pinned, arrested

Preston Santron Harper
Preston Santron Harper

A Little Rock man was arrested Friday after a gas station employee said he tried to steal his car, then accelerated backward into the street and hit another vehicle, according to a police report.

About 1:40 p.m., officers responded to a possible carjacking in front of Asher One Stop, 2608 S. Maple St., where two vehicles appeared to be in an accident in the roadway.

Preston Santron Harper, 29, was being held down by a clerk next to a silver 2002 Mercedes S500, the report said.

The employee told police he had left his Mercedes running outside the business. As soon as he went inside, he said, he looked back and saw Harper getting into the car.

The employee ran out, opened the door and tried to pull Harper out,but Harper put the car in reverse and began accelerating it backward, according to the report.

While backing up, Harper drove onto Asher Avenue and the Mercedes collided with another vehicle, the report said.

The clerk said he managed to get Harper out of the car and pinned to the ground until officers arrived.

As of Monday afternoon, Harper was being held at the Pulaski County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. He faces charges of aggravated robbery, property theft and careless driving, records show.

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