Both cars were last seen fleeing southbound on NW 27th Avenue. Sergeant Eades, along with a number of officers in the immediate area, observed the cars at a Kangaroo Station located at the northwest corner of SW 20th Street and 27th Avenue.
When the subjects noticed Sgt. Eades, they quickly jumped into the two cars and sped off.
A pursuit ensued in which both stolen cars stayed together traveling north along SR 200 to NE 1st Avenue, then east along Silver Springs Boulevard. Motorcycle Officer Dan Wright was positioned at East SR 40 and NE 36th Avenue, prepared to deploy the “stop sticks.” As the pursuit approached 36th Avenue, the subjects turned in to the parking lot of Publix located at the Forty East Shopping Plaza — just prior to reaching the intersection. A black male jumped from the driver’s seat of the Nissan vehicle and fled on foot. Officer Jimmy Pitman quickly captured and identified Carlos Davis, 15. Two other suspects ran from the car and escaped capture.
The second vehicle – the Audi A6 – continued east through the parking lot and then north onto NE 36th Avenue where Officer Wright had repositioned himself with the “stop sticks,” which were successfully deployed, causing all four (4) of the Audi’s tires to deflate. The vehicle continued north on 36th Avenue to the area of Booster Stadium, 2900 NE 36th Avenue, when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to leave the road and roll over. Officer Pablo Morales approached the vehicle as a black male exited and ran into the woods along the east side of the roadway. Officer Morales gave chase but lost sight of the subject. A perimeter was quickly established utilizing both OPD officers and deputies from the Marion County Sherriff’s Office (MCSO). The Air Unit and K-9 Units from MCSO also assisted in trying to locate the suspect. Unfortunately, the track and search failed to locate the male.
Additionally, while an officer was en route to Auto Dealer’s Exchange to speak with the victim, it was discovered that a third vehicle had been stolen from the lot; a green 2005 Chrysler 300. However, the subjects abandoned the car — after fleeing from Sgt. Eades at the Kangaroo on SW 20th Street —and the vehicle was recovered at the pumps with the gas hose still in the gas tank.
Also, while conducting the search for the suspect in the woods, a call came in at approximately 5:36 a.m. from a man named Ronnie Watkins. Watkins had stopped at the BP Fuel Station, 938 SE 17th Street, to refuel his mother’s 2001 maroon Hyundai. He left the vehicle running while he went into the store to pay and returned to find the vehicle was gone. He indicated the car was “on fumes.” The clerk reported that a teenage black male had been sitting on the curb at the front door when he opened the store. The teenager, who was next to a bicycle, asked to use the phone to call a friend in Orlando to pick him up, and then asked for money. He was denied both requests. A short time later, Officer Jared Forsyth located the Hyundai at 3708 SW College Road, where it was found to be out of gas. The suspect was not present and the car was processed and returned to the owner. It is believed that the suspect who stole this car (the teen next to the bike) was one of the suspects who ran from the Nissan vehicle at the Forty East Shopping Plaza.
Detectives are continuing to work on identifying the other suspects, of which there appear to be at least three. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000 or through our mobile app, MyPD where anonymous tips can be made. Or tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867), www.ocalacrimestoppers.com or by texting keyword 368STOP to 274637.