A Birmingham man recently released from prison is back behind bars after authorities say he carried out at least one violent home invasion and two carjackings since April 9.

Jermaine Parks, 31, and Jonathan McKinstry, 18, were captured last week during a home invasion at Aspen Run Apartments. Parks is also charged in two carjackings that happened within minutes of each other earlier in the month.

"I'm glad we got them off the streets,'' said Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards. "It was just a matter of time before he (Parks) hurt someone."

The first carjacking happened about 9:25 p.m. on April 9 at Timberfalls Apartments on Beacon Crest Lane. The victim had just gotten out of his car and went back to get medication he had left inside the vehicle, Edwards said. When he did, two men approached him, pointed a gun at him and demanded money. When the victim told him he didn't have any money, they ordered him out of the car and hit him over the head with the gun. The suspects fled in the victim's Nissan Altima.

Moments later, a woman was carjacked at nearby Somerset House Condominiums on Beacon Parkway East. The female victim had just gotten out of her car when a Nissan Altima pulled up near her. A gunman ran toward her, demanded her keys and purse. Pointing the gun at her, the suspect said, "I don't have all day Mama Mia,'' Edwards said.

The female victim gave him everything he asked for, including her 2008 Saturn SUV, and then ran inside to her apartment. The fleeing Altima hit another car on the way out of the complex, and left the scene. The suspect in both carjackings was described as a black male with long dreadlocks.

Surveillance videotape from the apartments captured one of the carjackings. Police searched for the robbers but weren't able to find them, and released the videos asking for the public's help.

Then, on April 22, police were called to Aspen Run on a report of a burglary in progress. A man and a woman were walking in the parking lot about 10:06 p.m. when two men, later identified as Parks and McKinstry, approached them. One of the gunmen put a gun to the woman's face and forced her to show him where her car was. Both of the suspects grabbed the woman's buttocks several times, Edwards said.

Eventually, they forced the man and woman inside the apartment, where another man was sleeping. Parks and McKinstry woke up the sleeping man, made everyone go into the living room and get down on the floor. The robbers demanded cell phones, cash and keys from the three victims on the floor.

Birmingham police officers arrived at the scene while Parks and McKinistry were still in the apartment. They knocked on the door, but no one answered. When the officers heard a woman crying inside, they forced entry. McKinstry was taken into custody, but Parks escaped through a window in the apartment, Edwards said.

Officers chased Parks on foot, and finally captured him. He matched the description of the carjacking suspect, and was identified through a photo lineup. During an interview with detectives, he admitted to the two carjackings, Edwards said. H. Police praised the person who called police. "Whoever it was that alerted us was quick and smart,'' he said.

Parks is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery in the carjackings, and three counts of first-degree robbery, kidnapping, violating the state firearms act and harassment. His bond total $300,600.

McKinstry is charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $200,600. Both men remain in the Jefferson County Jail.

Court records show Parks was convicted of robbery in 2013 after stealing someone's cell phone, wallet, $100, and Ford four-door vehicle at gunpoint. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with two to serve.

"His motive was to case apartment complexes looking for soft targets to rob,'' Edwards said. "He's a menace to society who is in the business of robbing people."