Suspect accused of stealing Porsche, jumping on roof of car to escape police

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he was caught with a car stolen out of Knoxville and took officers on a chase through Memphis.

On September 29, the Knoxville Police Department responded to a call regarding a 2018 Black Porsche Panamera GA that was stolen.

On October 9, Memphis Police officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a black Porsche Panamera GA at Covington Pike and I-40, which had tags registered for a 2015 Kia Optima. Reports say the car fled, but police were able to identify the driver as Taryll Cunningham due to previous encounters with him.

Officers used a tire deflation device to stop the car, but the suspect kept driving, eventually turning onto Whitehall from White Station Road.

The Porsche parked at a house and officers say they saw Cunningham and another man, identified as Julliane Cabrera, standing in the driveway talking to the home’s owner. Police determined that Cunningham was attempting to rob the homeowner of his car, but when he noticed the officers, he and Cabrera ran off.

MPD says Cabrera was seen with a black backpack and a gun in his hand. He jumped a fence and was caught by officers and detained. Found inside the backpack was an AR-15 pistol, which Cabrera claimed to be owned by Cunningham.

Reports say that while officers were searching the area for Cunningham, they noticed a damaged Audi with a CarMax license plate circling the area. They watched as Cunningham ran from a house nearby and jumped onto the roof of the Audi.

The car quickly fled with Cuningham still on the roof, driving directly at the officers, according to an affidavit. The car turned onto White Station and Cunningham fell from the roof but continued to run from police on foot. He was detained by officers shortly afterward.

Memphis Police say the keys to the Porsche were found in Cunningham’s pocket, and he admitted that the AR-15 pistol found in the backpack was his, also noting that the gun was equipped with a Glock switch.

The Porsche was determined to be the same Porsche stolen out of Knoxville just weeks earlier. It was valued at just under $45,000.

Cunningham is charged with Auto Theft $10,000-$60,000, Evading Arrest to wit: Motor Vehicle, Evading Arrest to wit: Foot Pursuit, Violation of Vehicle Registration Law, Alteration of Vehicle or Serial Number, and Prohibited Weapons to wit: Machine Gun.

His bond has not been set but he is scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning.

Information regarding Julliane Cabrera’s arrest is currently unavailable.

Taryll Cunningham was previously arrested for doing doughnuts on a basketball court minutes before nine people were shot in an Orange Mound park in May of this year. He caused $19,000 worth of damage, according to the park director.

After video footage was released and he was identified, Cunningham was charged with Vandalism $10,000-$60,000, reckless endangerment-deadly weapon-motor vehicle, reckless driving, and drag racing.

Cunningham was also arrested in 2022 in connection to a deadly shooting at Alonzo Weaver Park in 2021, but the charges against him were dismissed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.