Police say 21-year-old arrested after Louisville carjacking at knifepoint and chase ending in crash

What police say happened

Louisville Metro Police say a 21-year-old man was arrested after an alleged armed carjacking late Friday night escalated into a vehicle pursuit, a crash and a foot chase in the city’s west end.

Investigators say officers were called at about 11:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, after a woman reported she had been carjacked at knifepoint near 11th Street and Broadway in the California neighborhood. Police say the stolen vehicle was located roughly 20 minutes later.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, police say the driver fled, prompting a pursuit. The chase ended when the vehicle crashed in the 3900 block of Garland Avenue. Police say the suspect then ran, but was taken into custody with assistance from an LMPD K9 unit. Police say the suspect was transported to a hospital for treatment of a dog bite believed to be non-life-threatening.

Charges filed in the case

The suspect was identified by police as Mark Dawson, 21. Police say he was booked on the following charges:

• Fleeing or evading police (first degree)
• Fleeing or evading police (second degree)
• Criminal mischief (first degree)
• Resisting arrest
• No operator’s license
• Possession of marijuana

Police publicly described the incident as a carjacking at knifepoint. The charging list released does not, on its own, establish a final charge count tied to the initial carjacking allegation.

How similar cases can unfold in Louisville

The arrest comes amid a pattern of incidents in Louisville in which alleged stolen vehicles and traffic stops rapidly turn into pursuits, foot chases, collisions and additional charges. In a separate January 2026 case, police alleged a different 21-year-old used a stolen vehicle to strike a police cruiser and injure an officer during an attempted stop, later facing charges that included assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing police, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and resisting arrest, with a court appearance scheduled for Jan. 20.

What happens next

As with any arrest, the allegations must be tested in court. Charging decisions can change as investigators complete reports, prosecutors review evidence, and defense attorneys challenge the state’s account. Police have not released additional public details about the knife allegation beyond the initial description of the carjacking report near 11th Street and Broadway.

If you have information related to carjackings, vehicle thefts, or repeat offenders in your neighborhood, document details safely and share them through official reporting channels.