Richard Allan Johannesson, 27, left 5940 37th Ave. N about 1:30 a.m. Monday and was charged with carjacking, felony possession of a firearm, armed trespassing and trafficking in heroin.

About 4 p.m. Sunday, he stole a car from his friend, Brian Ferrentino, following a scuffle for a gun with Ferrentino and his roommate Tich Robinson, police said. He reportedly drove for several hours before going to the house.

Johannesson entered the house with a gun about 8 p.m. Sunday after drinking all day and talking about killing himself, police said. He kept an elderly woman in the house for a short time but then released her, authorities said.

Ferrentino and Robinson said they were trying to take the gun away from Johannesson, who had been talking about killing himself and another friend.

"I just think it's kind of been a tragedy waiting to happen," Robinson said Monday afternoon. "He's really a good kid. He's just got a lot of issues to deal with."

During the past decade, Johannesson has been charged with several burglaries, drug offenses and driving under the influence.

"I felt terribly for him," said Ferrentino, who listened to Johannesson negotiate with police. "I really thought he had no hope."

Robinson and Ferrentino, who have known Johannesson since high school, said they were pleased with the way the incident ended. "I'm so hopeful that he will get the help he needs," Robinson said. "Maybe he'll have a chance to start a new and happy life one day."

Pedestrian is struck by truck

CLEARWATER -- A man walking along Roosevelt Boulevard was struck by a truck Monday night.

He was hit at 8:16 p.m. at 5860 Roosevelt Blvd. and was in critical condition, said Trooper Jacqueline Freeman of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Freeman said the man's injuries were life-threatening.

His name was not available.

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