FORT WALTON BEACH WOMAN FACING MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES FOLLOWING CHASE AND CRASH IN DESTIN

Matt Boster

Viewed: 2441

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Nov 17 2015 9:04 PM

A woman driving a car matching the description of a vehicle used in a morning robbery in Fort Walton Beach led deputies on a chase that ended when they boxed in her car on Destin’s Marler Bridge. 47-year old Tarkwa Kenyabra Johnson of 218 Poplar Street is facing charges of aggravating fleeing and eluding with injury or damage, aggravated battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest with violence.

The robbery, which is still under investigation, took place Tuesday morning around 8:30 a.m. when a black female robbed a man of his wallet on Sunset Boulevard. Approximately three hours later, an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a car matching the description of the one used in the robbery near the Raceway Gas Station on Highway 98 in Destin.

When the deputy turned on his emergency lights, the driver, later identified as Johnson, ran a red light at Gulf Shores Drive and headed towards Okaloosa Island, driving approximately 65 mph in a 35 mph zone. Captain Ted Pecot was able to get in front of Johnson to slow her down but when the other deputy attempted to box her in, she hit his patrol car and spun. She then tried to get away by driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of Marler Bridge. Two other deputies worked to block Johnson’s car to prevent her from crashing into any motorists.

Johnson accelerated and rammed one of the patrol cars before she was finally stopped. Johnson then refused to open the door and resisted being taken into custody. Johnson was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center for evaluation after complaining that her back hurt. No deputies suffered serious injuries. The robbery investigation is continuing.

<- back