NEWS

Springfield man arrested for carjacking, leading police chase

Staff report
The News Herald
Devonte McCoy

PANAMA CITY — A Springfield man was arrested after he allegedly carjacked a woman, then led police on a chase into Panama City Beach on Thursday.

According to a Panama City Police press release, Devonte McCoy, 28 of Springfield was arrested and charged with carjacking, fleeing and eluding and being a habitual traffic offender.

The press release states Panama City police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Thursday on a black 2009 Jeep Wrangler near 15th Street and Jenks Avenue. The vehicle pulled behind a business, where the driver forced the woman passenger out before fleeing from officers.

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Several police followed the Jeep from a distance in an unmarked vehicle, while other officers assessed the woman’s welfare. Officers learned that she was the registered owner of the Jeep. The woman then allegedly identified McCoy as the suspect who took her vehicle.

After learning this information, officers attempted to stop the Jeep by activating emergency lights and sirens, but the driver refused to stop. Officers pursued the vehicle across Hathaway Bridge and into Panama City Beach jurisdiction, notifying officers there to help in the chase. The pursuing officers eventually stopped though when it was deemed that the danger to the public outweighed the need for immediate arrest of the suspect.

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The press release states the Jeep was soon found abandoned on Causeway Manor Court in Panama City Beach. A Panama City Police K9 was deployed to track the suspect, and minutes later a Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted McCoy near Causeway Road and Thomas Drive, where he was arrested.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100 or can report anonymously by smartphone through the Panama City PD Tip411 app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.