A man accused of carjacking a vehicle at gunpoint in Prosperity New Year’s Eve is in jail after being pursued across three counties.

The suspect, Christopher Marquel Brown (also known as, Christopher Marquel Wise), 21, of 8779 U.S. Highway 76, Prosperity, approached the driver of a green Ford Explorer at a gas station in Prosperity just before 9 p.m. Thursday, according to Sheriff Lee Foster.

Reports say Brown pointed a gun at the driver, demanded they get out of the vehicle, and then drove away in the SUV.

“Law enforcement officers across Newberry County immediately began a massive search for the suspect and vehicle,“ said Foster. “They immediately issued a statewide and nationwide BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for the vehicle and the suspect, who we listed as armed and dangerous.“

Around midnight, officers in Spartanburg County spotted the stolen vehicle and a chase ensued after they attempted to stop it. The suspect fled from Spartanburg County into Laurens County.

Brown had taken the car to Spartanburg to see his child, according to Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Lt. J.D. Shelton.

Foster says that in Laurens County, around the 51-mile marker on I-26, the suspect attempted to carjack another vehicle.

According to reports, Brown ran out of gas and a couple stopped to try to help him. When the couple stopped, Brown allegedly assaulted the man and tried to take their car.

He was unsuccessful, and Brown is said to have fled into the woods off the interstate.

A manhunt began for Brown, using bloodhounds from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Officers from Spartanburg, Laurens and Newberry counties, Prosperity Police Department, and SLED saturated the area.

“During the course of the manhunt, one of the officers saturating the area saw the suspect come from a wooded area and took him into custody without incident,“ described Foster.

Brown was taken to Laurens County’s Johnson Detention Center for charges of carjacking and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

A detainer has been placed on Brown by the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office for the carjacking. Spartanburg County is also expected to file charges against Brown.

No time has yet been set for the suspect to be brought to Newberry County for the charges to filed and bond set.