LAKE CITY, Fla. -- The Lake City Police Department arrested a Daytona Beach man after they say he led officers on a chase and a day-long manhunt Saturday.
Police say 35-year-old James Lee led Columbia County deputies on a chase in a car stolen from Volusia county at 9:55 a.m. Saturday. During the chase he crashed into a ditch and overturned the car.
When LCPD officers showed up at the crash they learned Lee was traveling with his juvenile daughter in the car and the two fled into a wooded area.
Officers found Lee's daughter immediately after their search in the woods began, but Lee continued to evade police.
Hours later, police say they got a call at 3:18 p.m. from a resident at 790 SW Vanwood Court. When officers showed up the homeowner told them a man matching Lee's description broke into the home and stole their car keys from a counter. They said when Lee saw the residents he fled back into the woods, sparking another search with K9 units from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
At 3:56 p.m. police got another call about a burglary in progress at 814 SW Bali Lane, a neighborhood where Lee crashed the car during the chase.
Police set up a perimeter around the residence when the homeowner told them they came home to see their front window broken and they heard someone inside.
When officers entered the home they say they found Lee barricaded in the basement. After a brief standoff police entered the basement and arrested Lee.
Lee was taken to a local hospital for treatment from injuries he got during the crash, as well as a dog bite by a CCSO K9.
Lee was later taken to the Columbia County Jail where he was charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, fleeing and eluding, cruelty towards a child, child neglect, and several other traffic-related charges. Police say additional charges are pending.
Lee is being held without bond.
