August 27, 2024
Yesterday evening the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The FHP located a suspect wanted for a carjacking incident that occurred in Pasco County. Troopers attempted to stop the suspect as he was driving through Crystal River. The suspect vehicle fled north on US 19 into Levy County when LCSO joined the pursuit.
Levy County Deputies deployed Stop Sticks in Lebanon Station and then again in Otter Creek. The suspect was able to avoid the attempts to flatten his tires both times. The suspect, identified as a 39 year old Hispanic male shot at pursuing FHP Troopers and LCSO deputies multiple times during this pursuit. The pursuit, topping speeds of 120 mph, ended near CR 347 on US 19. The suspect driver crashed approximately 5 miles south of the City of Chiefland. He did not survive. The Florida Highway Patrol and the LCSO requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist in this investigation due to the exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and him.
Sheriff McCallum said, “We are extremely thankful that this violent criminal was stopped and there were no injuries to any of the Troopers, our LCSO Deputies or members of our public. This was a very dangerous situation complicated by high speeds, the exchange of gunfire and the suspect’s total disregard for anyone’s safety, including his own. We pray this type of criminal activity will never affect our community, but yesterday it did and our professionals were able to stop this criminal before any innocent person was harmed.”