YULEE, Fla. — Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper wants to set the record straight a day after an innocent bystander was seriously injured following a chase with his deputies. The vehicle pursuit was initiated after a deputy spotted "a crime in progress at the Kohl's Department store in Yulee," Leeper stated in a news release Thursday.
"When our deputy made contact with the suspects as they were fleeing the retail store, the suspects placed their vehicle in reverse and slammed into the front of our deputy’s patrol vehicle," Leeper stated. "... Our deputy attempted to make a peaceful apprehension but the suspects intentionally attempted to strike our deputy with their vehicle. Again these criminals showed a blatant disregard for human life by trying to seriously harm, or worse, kill one of our deputies ..."
At least four suspects ran from law enforcement fleeing from the department store around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. They eventually crashed during the pursuit slamming into the bystander's vehicle head-on at SR 200/Santa Barbara St.
"It is very upsetting that someone else got hurt and it weighs heavy on my heart to know that this innocent bystander is in the hospital instead of being with their family this Thanksgiving because of the actions of these heartless criminals," Leeper stated.
The sheriff said three of the four suspects remain in the hospital. Jacorey Devon Haney has been booked into the county jail and charged with retail theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, "with other more serious charges pending," Leeper stated in the news releases.
The other suspects have been identified as Antonio Williams, Brishea Glover, and Larysa Martin. Leeper said they're all from Jacksonville and are facing additional charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and aggravated fleeing.
Read Sheriff Leeper's entire statement below:
“First and foremost my heart and prayers goes out to the innocent victim that was seriously hurt by reckless criminals that have no regard for human life. Our first priority is always to protect our citizens and keep our community safe. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the details that were reported yesterday. It is not the policy of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office to initiate a vehicle pursuit just for a property crime or for retail theft due to the inherent danger to the public. Yesterday it was reported that the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office initiated a vehicle pursuit for a retail theft that resulted in a traffic crash injuring one of our citizens. Yesterday afternoon one of our deputies spotted a crime in progress at the Kohl’s Department store in Yulee and that’s when our deputy made contact with the suspects. When our deputy made contact with the suspects as they were fleeing the retail store, the suspects placed their vehicle in reverse and slammed into the front of our deputy’s patrol vehicle. Our deputy quickly exited the vehicle to try and apprehend these suspects. Our deputy attempted to make a peaceful apprehension but the suspects intentionally attempted to strike our deputy with their vehicle. Again these criminals showed a blatant disregard for human life by trying to seriously harm, or worse, kill one of our deputies on the same day that we lost Eric Oliver back in 20c6. This action of aggravated assault on a LEO is a forcible felony and ultimately led the the initiation of the vehicle pursuit. The suspects put citizens in danger as they drove recklessly down State Road 200 before crossing the median and colliding with the victim’s vehicle. Again, it is very upsetting that someone else got hurt and it weighs heavy on my heart to know that this innocent bystander is in the hospital instead of being with their family this Thanksgiving because of the actions of these heartless criminals. Three of the four suspects are receiving medical treatment and will be booked when they are released. We have arrested Jacorey Devon Haney for Retail Theft and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor with other more serious charges pending. His mugshot is attached to this message. The other suspects involved in this case Antonio Williams, Brishea Glover, and Mashonda Corley (all from Jacksonville with prior criminal history) are facing additional charges of “Aggravated Assault on a LEO and Aggravated Fleeing.” This is still an active investigation and more charges are pending. The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting the vehicle crash part of the investigation and we will release more information when we are able to do so. I was raised in Nassau County. My children were raised in Nassau County and now my grandchildren are being raised here and I want to continue to keep our county safe from thug criminals who break the law and cause harm to our wonderful community."