ORANGE PARK, Fla. — The Clay County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man accused of carjacking as multiple schools in Orange Park have had their lockdown procedures lifted Thursday afternoon, according to their X post.
The sheriff's office says the man identified as 35-year-old Tony Smith, is described as 5 feet and 9 inches tall, has a thin build and was wearing a long sleeve dark-colored shirt with gray sweatpants. However, he has since changed his clothes, according to a Facebook video posted by Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook.
Cook says at 9 a.m., the sheriff's office received a "hit" on a stolen vehicle from a license plate reader that was near Blanding Boulevard and Baxley Road in Middleburg. Deputies responded and went to the area but Cook says by that time, the vehicle already fled the area.
Next, the sheriff says calls were received in reference to a vehicle that was ramming the gate at the Orange Park Country Club neighborhood, as the vehicle eventually entered through the gate and caused damage. More calls were taken from residents at the Orange Park Country Club, Cook says, mentioning that there was an attempted carjacking and about an abandoned vehicle with its door opened. Deputies responded to the area and began looking for Smith and a perimeter was set, Cook says.
Cook says the sheriff's office received reports that Smith was allegedly jumping fences in the neighborhood. She says police believe Smith is moving north near the Clay County and Duval County border as they are in the process of obtaining warrants for Smith on charges of attempted carjacking, burglary, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing/eluding police with injury or damage.
Cook urges everyone to "remain vigilant" if you see something suspicious. The schools that were on lockdown Thursday morning are Lakeside Junior High School, Lakeside Elementary School, Orange Park High School and St. Johns Country Day School. And if Smith travels back south near the Orange Park area, Cook says schools will be placed on lockdown.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol are involved in the search for Smith as well, according to Cook.
Anyone with information regarding Smith's whereabouts, are asked to call 911.