Decatur police have charged a Huntsville man with capital murder this morning as a search continues for a person last seen Monday going under at Flint Creek.

Ismael Tariq Smith, 21, of Huntsville, has been charged with one count of capital murder. He is being held in the Morgan County Jail without bond.

Smith’s arrest comes as a result of what police say was an armed robbery that quickly developed into a chase, ending with a submerged vehicle in a creek and one occupant missing in the water. A Decatur police spokesperson confirmed the the charge is related to the missing person, whose name has not yet been released.

911 dispatchers received a report of a robbery at Casa Santiago, a Mexican restaurant on Spring Avenue, just before 1 p.m. Monday. Officers spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one that fled the robbery and tried to stop it along U.S. 31, according to police.

Acting on a description of the vehicle, patrol vehicles attempted a stop, but a pursuit developed along U.S. 31 South.

During the chase, according to police, the driver of the vehicle lost control, crossed over the median and eventually ran into Flint Creek near Bowels Bridge Road, submerging the vehicle.

One of the vehicle’s occupants swam across the creek to shore and was detained there.

A second person was last seen struggling to stay afloat downstream and went under before those on the scene could render aid. Authorities have not identified the person.

ALEA Marine Police are continuing a search for the missing occupant of the vehicle. Motorists are asked to avoid the area of Flint Creek east of the Bowles Bridge boat launch.