Pursuit And Manhunt Closes I-75 in Alachua County

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A chase that began in Columbia County at around 11:45 a.m., on Dec. 2, ended in Alachua County with the arrest of 21-year-old Marandoe Acell Lamar Young at approximately 4:15 p.m. the same day.

In an effort to stop the fleeing vehicle on Interstate 75, law enforcement officers used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver and deployed stop sticks, which eventually rendered the vehicle immobile on I-75 at the 406-mile marker.

Young then fled from the stopped vehicle and deputies engaged in a foot pursuit, hearing what sounded like a gunshot during the pursuit. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect, with mutual aid resources from many agencies assisting in the search. Young was eventually apprehended by K-9 Officer Micco.

Investigation revealed that Young was in possession of a significant amount of cannabis and a firearm, which he discharged during the foot pursuit. Young will be charged with Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Distribute and three counts of Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer.

Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues. The suspect was treated for injuries sustained during the K-9 apprehension and was booked into the Alachua County Jail.

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release indicated that all lanes of I-75 were closed at approximately 12:45 p.m. due to the pursuit.

Northbound traffic was diverted at High Springs/Alachua Exit #399 and southbound traffic was diverted off of I-75 at the Lake City/High Springs Exit #414. All I-75 traffic lanes were reopened by 4:55 p.m.

During the chase the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) provided a safety perimeter at the High Springs Community School and extended school resource officer coverage at the school for after school activities. They maintained enhanced security at the school until teachers, staff and students had vacated the school.

Students that usually walked home remained at the school for parental pickup. School buses that routed into the danger zone remained at the school.

In addition, HSPD provided traffic control on US Highway 441 and US Highway 27 due to the intense amount of traffic routed off of I-75 and through the cities.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the pursuit.

Young’s bond is set at $595,000.

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