✅ This video obtained via Public Records Request
Police Report: On 7/30/2023, at approximately 1955 hours, the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC) relayed a BOLO regarding a green Chevy Tahoe that had fled from the Tampa Police Department (TPD). The vehicle was reported to be traveling northbound on Interstate 75 in the area of mile marker 279. I positioned my patrol vehicle on Interstate 75 at mile marker 299. The vehicle was being followed by a TPD air unit and was relaying the Tahoe's position to the TBRCC.
I observed the Tahoe at mile marker 299 and departed the median to overtake the Tahoe. While overtaking the Tahoe, it appeared to increase in speed to an excess of 100 mph. The vehicle exited Interstate 75 at exit 301 at a high rate of speed. While approaching the intersection of State Road 50, a marked Hernando County vehicle and Florida Highway Patrol vehicle were positioned within the intersection with their emergency lights active. There appeared to be a spike strip on the roadway as we approached, at which time the Tahoe veered off the roadway to the right, entered the east grassy shoulder, ran through the red traffic signal at State Road 50, and began traveling eastbound on State Road 50 at a high rate of speed. This action by the Tahoe showed a wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property. At that time, I activated my emergency lights and siren and initiated a pursuit of the vehicle.
During the pursuit, the Tahoe traveled at speeds of over 130 mph, drove on the wrong side of the roadway several times, and forced other vehicles off of the roadway. The actions of the Tahoe showed a wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property while simultaneously fleeing to elude law enforcement, constituting aggravated fleeing to elude. Later in the pursuit, the Tahoe was traveling westbound on County Road 470 approaching the intersection of Interstate 75. The Tahoe conducted a right turn onto northbound Interstate 75, at which time I conducted a PIT maneuver on the Tahoe. After the PIT maneuver was conducted, the front push bar, bumper, headlights, and siren boxes of my marked patrol vehicle began to drag on the roadway. I pulled onto the east paved shoulder of Interstate 75, exited my patrol vehicle, and ripped the entire front end of my marked patrol vehicle off. I entered my patrol vehicle and reengaged in the pursuit.
The Tahoe exited northbound Interstate 75 at exit 329 and turned left onto State Road 44. The Tahoe entered the Pilot gas station located at 493 FL-44, Wildwood, FL 34785, where it was boxed in by multiple law enforcement vehicles. The driver was forced out of the Tahoe at gunpoint, at which time he was placed under arrest. The driver was identified by his Florida ID card as Daquann Marquise Stephens. I conducted an inventory of the Tahoe and discovered a green leafy substance in the center console, which had the appearance and distinct odor of marijuana. The same substance was discovered on Mr. Stephens' person during a custodial search.
Mr. Stephens was transported from the scene to the Sumter County jail by Trooper R. Berlyne (1747) without further incident. Due to Mr. Stephens' reckless driving while fleeing to elude law enforcement officers, while his license was suspended, and while purposefully forcing other vehicles off the roadway, he should be held without bond.
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