Suspect arrested after allegedly flashing gun in Chandler, fleeing from police last week
Jun 7, 2022, 5:00 PM
(Chandler Police Department Photo)
PHOENIX – A man wanted for allegedly flashing a gun outside a Chandler pizza restaurant last week and fleeing from police was arrested Monday night, authorities said.
Raymond Harding, 27, was booked on two counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and one count each of aggravated assault on a minor, prohibited possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct with a weapon.
Harding is a convicted felon with an aggravated assault warrant out of Pima County and is not legally allowed to carry a gun, according to court documents.
Police were called to the Little Caesars on Arizona Avenue north of Chandler Boulevard around 7 p.m. on June 1.
A man allegedly had an argument with employees inside the restaurant while Harding was there before the man left and got in his car with his 12-year-old son, according to the probable cause statement filed by police.
Harding allegedly followed them out and lifted up his shirt to display a gun in his waistband, prompting the man to call police.
Two officers responded and found Harding outside the restaurant. Police say he failed to comply with commands and ran away. While running he allegedly pulled out a gun, and both officers responded by firing at him.
The suspect was able to get away uninjured, and a gun was recovered in the area of the foot chase, police said.
Investigators were able to identify Harding as the suspect, and police took him into custody around 11:15 p.m. Monday in Tempe.