Formal charges have been filed against a Georgia man accused of stealing a car from a Buc-ee’s gas pump and then leading lawmen on a chase that ended in Shelby County.

Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin on Monday said the suspect, 33-year-old Kujuan Prince Ash, of Lawrenceville, was dropped off at Buc-ee’s by another law enforcement agency.

He did not say which agency took Ash to the business, or why, but called the move “unfortunate.”

“It is unfortunate that another agency dropped this person off at Buc-ees early in the morning without identifying him or charging him with a crime,’’ Irwin said. “We are working with the agency whose officer dropped him off in one of the most populated areas inside the City of Leeds than dealing with this perpetrator who posed a danger to their community. We must all work together to protect the public regardless of jurisdiction.”

The incident began about 6:30 a.m. Friday when police say Ash jumped into an occupied vehicle at the Leeds store, and forcibly took the vehicle.

The victim seated in the vehicle was able to escape without injury, said Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin.

The suspect left in the stolen Toyota 4-Runner.

Officers a short time later spotted the SUV at the Interstate 20/59 junction and a chase began.

Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Alabaster police, as well as the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, joined in.

Ash ultimately wrecked in the area of Interstate 65 and U.S. 31. After the crash, he fled on foot but was quickly captured.

Irwin said Ash initially gave police a fake name, but his true identity was later learned with the assistance from the University of Alabama Police Department.

The investigation showed, the chief said, that while at Buc-ee’s, Ash committed a theft inside of the store and also attempted to enter two other vehicles, which were parked in the parking lot.

Ash is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle by force, attempting to elude, first-degree theft of property, first-degree criminal mischief, obstruction of justice using a false identity, third-degree theft of property, two counts of attempted unlawful breaking and enter a vehicle and third-degree retail theft.

Ash is in the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $88,000.