Suspect in multiple Chattanooga-area robberies arrested

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Chattanooga police say a man suspected in several robberies, including a bank and a nail salon, was arrested Friday.

photo James Eastman, a suspect in several Chattanooga-area robberies, was captured Friday, police said.

James Eastman, 23, was tracked to the Hampton Inn, 2420 Williams St., according to a police news release.

Police spokesman Nathan Hartwig said Eastman has been charged with robbing Kay's Nail Salon, 5502C Hixson Pike, and the Suntrust Bank branch at 4614 Highway 58. He also has been charged with two carjackings, one at 315 Cherokee Blvd. and the other at 213 McBrien Road, and for violating federal probation.

Hartwig said investigators believe Eastman is responsible for additional robberies in the Highway 58, Brainerd and Hixson areas.

He credited the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the Red Bank and East Ridge police departments for helping with the investigation and arrest.