Man on felony warrant believed to have stolen Surprise car Monday

PHOENIX — A man on a felony warrant for property and drug crimes was accused of stealing a car on Monday.

Lonnie Smith, 51, was approached by police near Grand Avenue and Town Center Drive in Surprise on Monday afternoon. Police believe he has been involved in “additional property related crimes” in the city.

When police advanced, Smith pulled out a firearm, Suprise Police Department spokesperson Tim Klarkowski said. In response, an officer shot at Smith.

Smith fled on foot.

He then stole a grey Toyota Sienna minivan with the license plate BWS-2977.

It is unclear if Smith is injured. Nobody else is believed to have been harmed.

Smith has had a string of arrests over the last 20 years. In 1995, 1996 and 1998, he plead guilty to charges including theft and aggravated assault, according to Maricopa County Superior Court documents.

He was sent to prison in 1996 but escaped in 2010, according to the Phoenix New Times.

In 2009, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge on a drug paraphernalia violation. The next year, he pleaded guilty to misconduct involving weapons, according to court documents.

Police believe Smith is armed and dangerous and warned not to confront him.

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