Carjacking suspect in custody after crashing in Orange Grove

Hancock and Harrison County sheriff’s departments are investigating an alleged armed carjacking in Hancock County that ended in a wreck on Highway 49 in Gulfport.

36-year-old Regio Darrell Lavant of New Orleans is being held at the Harrison County jail on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and felony eluding. His bond is set at $250,000. Hancock County is placing a hold on the suspect on charges of taking a motor vehicle and felony eluding.

Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam said an Uber driver called 911 about 8 a.m., saying the male passenger in her red Toyota Highlander had a gun.

The driver said she picked up the passenger, identified as Regio Darrell Lavant, in New Orleans with a destination of Gulfport.

The driver said Lavant was acting suspicious and appeared to have a weapon in his waistband.

Deputies located the vehicle at the weigh scales. The driver was outside the vehicle and Lavant was still in it. Deputies saw Lavant exit the vehicle and walk toward the driver. They gave Lavant commands to get o the ground.

Instead, he hid behind the vehicle and appeared to have something in his hand. He then got in the Highlander and fled eastbound.

Hancock alerted Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and Gulfport Police, who aided in the pursuit. According to Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson, the suspect tried to hit a Harrison County Deputy on I-10.

The driver was located in Gulfport and later crashed into another vehicle on Old Highway 49 in Orange Grove, where again tried to flee and was apprehended by a K-9 unit. He was taken to Gulfport Memorial for treatment of a dog bite and then to Harrison County jail.