By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

HELENA – A 27-year-old suspect is facing multiple charges after he allegedly led police on a high-speed chase before injuring himself and others by causing a crash on Shelby County 261 in Helena on March 26.

The Helena and Hoover police departments said charges are pending against the suspect after he allegedly stole a 2012 Nissan Altima from its owner at a gas station off Alabama 150 in Hoover and used the vehicle to lead police on a dangerous chase through Helena. Police have not yet released the suspect’s name, pending formal charges.

Helena police received a notice from Hoover police at about 1:10 p.m. on March 26 informing them the stolen Altima likely was heading into Helena.

“Approximately 10-15 minutes later, a Helena police officer observed a vehicle matching that stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 52 from Hoover into Helena,” read a Helena Police Department press release. “When the driver of this vehicle observed the Helena police officer, he began driving erratically and dangerously, passing vehicles and accelerating to a high rate of speed.”

Two Helena officers then began a pursuit of the suspect’s vehicle, but were unable to safely keep the suspect’s vehicle in sight due to the high speed involved, according to Helena police.

“The suspect vehicle continued to travel northbound on Highway 261 through the Old Town section of Helena and eventually struck a motorist who was southbound on Highway 261,” read the Helena police release. “Helena officers arrived at the scene of the crash and took measures to render aid to the suspect and the occupants of the vehicle that he struck.”

The investigation has been turned over to the Shelby County Traffic Homicide Task Force, which likely will bring charges against the suspect, Helena police said. Those involved in the crash remain hospitalized.

Earlier in the day before the suspect allegedly stole the Nissan Altima, Hoover police said he was involved in multiple disorderly conduct incidents near the Riverchase Galleria.

At 12:21 p.m., Hoover police received a call reporting the suspect was in the Sears store in the Galleria while yelling there were “shooters” inside the building. Before officers arrived on the scene, mall employees escorted the suspect from the premises.

A few minutes later, another caller reported the suspect was in the Home Depot store near the Galleria screaming inside the store’s garden center. The suspect allegedly fled the scene through a fire escape before more witnesses claimed the suspect was trying to open car doors in the parking lot of the Embassy Suites on Alabama 150.

At 12:50 p.m., the suspect was reported to be inside the Galleria Woods Chevron on Alabama 150 yelling someone was trying to kill him, according to Hoover police.

“He then approached an adult female who was pumping gas at the Chevron and entered the driver’s seat of her car and ordered a backseat passenger (juvenile) to get out,” read a Hoover police press release. “The passenger exited the vehicle and the suspect fled the scene, driving westbound on John Hawkins Parkway.”

After Hoover police lost sight of the suspect, they notified Helena police.