Smyrna Traffic Stop Leads To Murder Suspect's Arrest

SMYRNA, GA -- A suspect wanted in connection with a New Jersey murder was arrested Thursday during a Smyrna traffic stop. A Smyrna police officer pulled over a car on Windy Hill Road for speeding. As an officer approached the vehicle, police said he noticed the driver and passenger switched places. The officer spoke with the now-driver and obtained a license for someone named Thomas Hasan Lopez, who police learned had a suspended driver's license.

As police tried to arrest Lopez, he allegedly fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by other officers. Lopez was taken into custody and taken to the Smyrna city jail. Police then received a call from the Hudson County, New Jersey, sheriff’s office informing them Lopez had provided a false ID and was wanted out of their jurisdiction. New Jersey sheriffs told Smyrna police the suspect's real name is Elnardo Chandler, wanted in connection with a homicide in New Jersey and an attempted homicide in South Carolina.

Chandler is being extradited back to New Jersey.