A deadly home invasion in Lawrence County, Alabama, has resulted in the capture of the suspect, who was apprehended after firing shots at police officers during a high-stakes chase. Jordan Cesar Hernandez, 35, was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon, bringing an end to a harrowing ordeal that began with a tragic incident.
The incident unfolded early on Saturday with a home invasion at 1557 County Road 245, as reported by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities identified the two individuals involved as Hernandez and 36-year-old Auburn Renee Moore, hailing from New Hope. Their intent was reportedly to commit a robbery within the residence.
During the course of the home invasion, a horrifying tragedy occurred when Dustin Grimes, while attempting to protect his wife, was fatally shot in his own bedroom. The assailants then proceeded to steal undisclosed items from the residence and kidnapped Grimes’ wife.
Remarkably, the kidnapping victim managed to escape from her captors while they were forcing her to withdraw money from an ATM in the East Lawrence area. Seizing the opportunity to flee, she ran to a nearby convenience store, where she was able to contact law enforcement for assistance, as outlined in a sheriff’s office press release.
Lawrence County deputies and Moulton police officers arrived at the scene on County Road 245, where they discovered Dustin Grimes deceased. Hernandez and Moore were identified as the suspects, subsequently facing charges of murder, robbery, and kidnapping.
A third individual was also implicated, though authorities have refrained from disclosing their identity for investigative reasons. Moore was arrested in Decatur on Saturday night and remains in custody at the Lawrence County Jail.
On Sunday afternoon, a separate but related incident unfolded when Decatur police officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Hernandez, who resides in Decatur. However, Hernandez failed to comply with the stop order and initiated a pursuit. During the chase, he fired multiple shots from the vehicle towards officers.
The pursuit culminated in a crash, and Hernandez fled on foot into the woods east of Calvary Assembly on Alabama 20. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Huntsville Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Alabama Department of Corrections K9 Unit, responded to the scene.
Alabama State Troopers temporarily closed all lanes of Alabama 20 west of Interstate 65 during the manhunt, ultimately reopening the roadway by 4 p.m. Hernandez was located without further incident, and in addition to the warrants from Lawrence County, he now faces charges of attempted murder for firing shots at police officers. He is being held without bond in the Limestone County Jail.
