By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD – Two suspects were arrested Thursday afternoon for allegedly hijacking a car on Rockford’s east side.

Police say that at around 2:30 p.m., Rockford Police officers responded to Don Carter Lanes, 4007 E. State St., for a report of a vehicular hijacking. The car was not located there but later spotted traveling west over the Whitman Street Bridge.

Officers lost sight of car briefly but caught up it in the 100 block of Royal Avenue. That’s where the suspects, a juvenile male and an adult male, bailed from the vehicle and fled on foot.  They were both taken into custody after a brief pursuit by Rockford officers and Winnebago County deputies.

The adult was taken to the hospital for minor injuries sustained by a K9 bite.  A handgun was recovered at the scene.

The adult suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Jaden T. Griffin. He’s been charged with armed robbery, robbery, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle hijacking, resisting, teasing (punching) a police animal, aggravated discharge of a firearm, vehicular invasion, and theft.

The charges of armed robbery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, vehicular invasion, robbery, and theft stem from an incident that police say occurred June 29 in the 2100 block of Sherman Avenue.

The 16-year-old juvenile faces similar charges. Griffin is being held without bond at the Winnebago County Jail. R.

This story has been updated.