Duo Apprehended After Waldo Auto Theft, ACSO Releases Video Pursuit of Auto Theft Suspects

WALDO ‒ Two men were arrested at 11:50 p.m. on Dec. 29 after the pair broke into Right Price Auto Sales, 16240 N.E. US Highway 301, Waldo. During the break in, the pair stole keys while the business owner watched the break in on his security camera.

Jalon Ezekiel Williams, 21, and Daven Cole Garner, 26, exited the business location in a 2013 Silver Toyota Forerunner using the stolen keys. An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) Deputy and K-9 were in the area and located a vehicle matching the description next to a wrecked gold Cadillac sedan, where personal items were being transferred from the Cadillac to the Forerunner.

The deputy attempted contact, activating the overhead emergency lights of his K-9 marked patrol vehicle. Once the emergency lights were activated, Williams, who was driving the Forerunner, put the vehicle in reverse and slammed into the Deputy’s patrol car in an effort to flee.

Following the collision, Williams continued to flee from the ASO Deputy, driving through thick underbrush before eventually crashing into a tree. After the secondary collision, Williams and Garner exited the Forerunner and fled on foot.

According to the ASO, the pair were both apprehended after a K-9 track through the swampy terrain, without incident.

Following apprehension, it was discovered that the Gold 2006 Cadillac and the Florida License Plate were also stolen. The Cadillac was reported stolen out of Polk County and the license plate was reported stolen out of Largo, Florida. The suspects were in possession of both the license plate and vehicle prior to burglarizing the auto sales business.

Post Miranda, Williams admitted to burglarizing the business through an exterior window, after pushing the window air conditioner unit out. He also admitted to stealing the key to the Forerunner, stealing the vehicle itself and knowing the Cadillac and license plate were stolen. Garner refused to answer any questions during a Post Miranda Interview.

Garner is charged with Grand Theft of a motor vehicle, stolen tag and resisting arrest without violence.

Williams is charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, stolen tag, burglary of a business, fleeing and alluding, resisting arrest without violence, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and a law enforcement K-9. Both men were listed as homeless on the arrest reports.

Bond was set at $315,000 for Williams and Garner’s bond was set at $60,000. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office released a video of the incident at https://www.facebook.com/AlachuaCountySheriff/videos/325055813701982/

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