ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A man is in custody after a chaotic series of events Thursday afternoon that began with an attempted traffic stop on I-95 and ended with deputies tracking the suspect through thick woods and marshland with air and K9 units.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the incident started when a deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle on I-95 near Mile Marker 323. The driver fled, prompting deputies to perform a PIT maneuver in the area of International Golf Parkway (IGP). After the vehicle was stopped, the suspect ran from the scene, stole a van, and sped down IGP toward U.S. 1.
The suspect abandoned the stolen van and again fled on foot. Deputies launched an extensive search, bringing in multiple aviation and K9 teams. Air units were able to track the suspect’s movements and guide ground teams through dense wooded and marsh terrain.
Later in the evening, deputies located and arrested the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Tomal Bowie. He faces charges of felony fleeing and eluding, grand theft auto, resisting without violence, possession of marijuana, and multiple out-of-county warrants.
The Sheriff’s Office said the strong multi-unit response was key to bringing the search to a safe resolution.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.