Tallahassee Man Facing Litany of Charges After Car Jacking, Leading Police on High-Speed Chase

A Tallahassee man has been charged with armed carjacking, aggravated fleeing and eluding, hit and run, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to police, at around 4:30 p.m., the suspect walked up to a man at his home on the 500 block of Palm Beach Street. He put on a mask, pulled out a handgun, and demanded the victim’s keys and vehicle. The victim pleaded with the suspect not to take his car, but the suspect responded by threatening to shoot the victim. He took the keys and fled the scene in the victim’s car.

The Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Response Team located the suspect a short time later. When they tried to stop him, he floored the pedal and took off. The Florida Highway Patrol led the chase of the suspect. He was caught at the county line between Leon and Gadsden Counties. Shortly after crossing into Gadsden County, a police cruiser ran the suspect off the road. A loaded handgun was found inside the vehicle.

Armed carjacking in Florida 

Armed carjacking is defined under Florida Statute 812.133. According to the statute:

“Carjacking” means the taking of a motor vehicle which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or the owner of the motor vehicle, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.

A defendant may be charged with either armed or unarmed carjacking. Both are considered felonies in the first degree. However, they have different sentencing requirements. If a suspect uses a deadly weapon or a firearm to effectuate the carjacking, they can be sentenced to life in prison. Those who did not use a weapon during the carjacking may be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years. Both, however, are considered first-degree felonies.

Aggravated fleeing and eluding 

Aggravating fleeing and eluding can be found under Florida Statutes 316.1935. Florida makes it either a third- or second-degree felony to commit the crime of aggravated fleeing and eluding. The text of the law reads:

It is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle, having knowledge that he or she has been ordered to stop such vehicle by a duly authorized law enforcement officer, willfully to refuse or fail to stop the vehicle in compliance with such order or, having stopped in knowing compliance with such order, willfully to flee in an attempt to elude the officer, and a person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

In this case, there is an enhancement for operating your vehicle recklessly when attempting to elude police. If the driver drives at a high speed or operates their vehicle in a reckless manner that puts the public in danger, they can be charged with a felony in the second degree. A felony in the second degree is punishable by up to 15 years in state prison.

Talk to a Tallahassee Criminal Defense Attorney Today 

Luke Newman, P.A. represents the interests of Tallahassee residents who have been charged with serious crimes. Call our Tallahassee criminal lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your defense plan right away.

Source:

tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2024/08/20/man-charged-with-armed-carjacking-after-high-speed-chase-tpd-says/74870854007/