Traffic Stop Ends in a Pursuit in Jackson County

Matt Boster

Viewed: 1771

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Oct 23 2015 8:38 AM

     On 10-22-15 at approximately 1:15 p.m. an Investigator with the Fugitive Apprehension Division of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was in the area of Cedar St. and Barnes St. in Marianna when he observed a vehicle occupied by four individuals behaving suspiciously. The vehicle was observed stopping at two different locations known as high drug traffic areas.

     When the vehicle passed by, the Officer observed that the driver did not have his seat belt on and turned around to observe the vehicle more closely.

     The driver apparently became alarmed and failed to stop at the stop sign at Cedar and Borden. When the Officer attempted to overtake the vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed, southbound on Borden.

     When he approached Pearl St. he slid sideways at a high rate of speed and continued eastbound on Pearl. Speeds on Pearl St. exceeded 70 miles per hour in a 25 MPH zone with the Officer in pursuit.

     After passing Wynn St. the driver almost struck a vehicle head-on that was traveling westbound. When they reached the area of McPherson St. the driver stopped in the middle of the road and three of the four occupants fled on foot in different directions.

     The female that remained with the vehicle was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear for Battery. She also claimed numerous times that she did not know the identity of any of the people in the vehicle including the driver.

     The driver was located a short time later at a residence approximately two blocks away and arrested. In a post-miranda statement he admitted to being the driver and identified the female in the front seat as his girlfriend, calling her by name.

    The female, Gabrelia Nicole Wilkes, 21, of Destiny Lane, Marianna, was also charged with Resisting an Officer without Violence for knowingly giving false information about the occupants.

     The driver, Anthony Aaron Sawyer, 27, of Rocky Creek Rd, Marianna, was charged with Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding, Reckless Driving, and Driving While License Suspended. Both were lodged in the Jackson County Correctional Facility to await First Appearance. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Marianna Police Department for their assistance.

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