The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office was searching for suspects after someone charged a deputy with a car then sped off, starting a high-speed chase.
An SJSO deputy was patrolling the Lemonwood community when he saw a pickup truck outside the home of an off-duty deputy at approximately 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.
SJSO said the deputy got out of his car and began to approach the truck when it accelerated toward him.
Deputy who fired shots at stolen truck tires has bumps and bruises. No suspect description. pic.twitter.com/tUm8SAyeiu
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
The deputy fired at the tires as he jumped out of the pathway of the truck, deputies said.
Deputies found the truck abandoned a block away with a flat tire. They said it was stolen from Ponte Vedra Beach 23 hours earlier.
#anjaxbreaking Heading here now. Live updates soon on @ActionNewsJax Fox 30 pic.twitter.com/jRuGiBRffS
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
After hearing a gunshot outside his home, the off-duty deputy went outside and discovered the suspects had broken into his marked patrol car.
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SJSO said deputies secured positions around the community as deputies and K-9 teams searched the area for the suspects.
Deputies encountered another vehicle driving in the area around 4 a.m. Deputies said it was also stolen out of the beaches area in Duval County.
According to a SJSO Facebook post, the vehicle refused to stop and led deputies on a high-speed chase into Duval County, where the pursuit was eventually called off.
Sjc dept at scene in fruit cove- looking for several suspects. 2nd car involved lead deputies on chase into Duval pic.twitter.com/YWigI3socq
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
Suspects got into Duval, speeds up to 130mph. pic.twitter.com/aiHqZMqnae
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
SJSO said it is unknown if the second vehicle was in the area to retrieve the suspects in the original incident.
Deputies are warning residents that they will see an unusual amount of law enforcement as they continue the search for the suspects.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page, follow @ActionNewsJax on Twitter and watch Action News Jax for the latest.
Sjcso looking for stolen Blue Audi A4 Fl tag DHPM58- last seen speeding into Duval around 295/US1
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
Sjc schools says situation in fruit cove is not impacting school day/busses there at this point.
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) August 23, 2017
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