A Memphis man faces serious charges after a brief but tense chase with law enforcement last Thursday. According to a press release by the U.S. Marshals, members of the Memphis Safe Task Force arrested 18-year-old Samuel Floyd on the grounds of robbery, aggravated assault, and theft of a firearm. The encounter culminated after Floyd allegedly initiated a dangerous confrontation at a local tire shop.
The incident began to unfold shortly after 2 p.m. when Floyd reportedly stole a 9mm handgun from a customer after threatening him with it. The victim, seeking to immediately reclaim safety, called the police and described his assailant. Responding officers sought to calmly approach the suspect, but Floyd decided to quickly run through nearby backyards, as per the U.S. Marshals’ report. He attempted, but failed, to discreetly throw the weapon into a backyard before officers cornered him and subsequently arrested him without further incident.
The arrest showcases the swift response and local operational success of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a collaborative effort to reduce violent crime in the Memphis area. “The speed with which our task force responded to this incident is commendable, but that’s part of what makes this operation so effective,” U.S. Marshals Service Chief Inspector Chad Hunt said, according to the U.S. Marshals’ statement. “An increased police presence in Memphis neighborhoods means our officers are close by and can get there quicker when a victim calls. I’m thankful we were able to stop this young man before he could hurt anyone else.”…