ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Tomal Bowe, 33, was taken into custody late Thursday night after a dramatic pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies in the area of Interstate 95 and US1 in St. Johns County.
Bowe faces several charges, including Felony Fleeing and Eluding, Grand Theft Auto, Resisting without Violence, Possession of Marijuana, and multiple out-of-county warrants. The chase began when Bowe fled from an attempted traffic stop on I-95, leading St. Johns County deputies to perform a PIT maneuver on his vehicle. After fleeing on foot, he allegedly stole a van and continued to evade authorities at high speed.
After the PIT maneuver, Bowe abandoned his vehicle and escaped on foot, prompting a four-hour search involving air and K9 units.
Authorities tracked Bowe through a heavily wooded and marshy area, coordinating efforts between air units and ground teams. The pursuit caused significant disruption in the area, with law enforcement advising the public to avoid the vicinity of US1 near Abbotts Way.
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SJSO said this is related to a crash that happened on Interstate 95 near International Golf Parkway:
“This afternoon, the suspect fled from an attempted traffic stop on I-95 and deputies pitted the vehicle in the area of IGP. The suspect fled on foot, stole a van and fled at a high rate of speed down IGP towards U.S. 1. The suspect ditched the vehicle on U.S. 1 near Abbotts Way and deputies are currently searching for the suspect.”
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Air and K9 units are searching the area for the suspect, and teams are also on the ground searching in a heavily wooded and marsh area, SJSO said.
Deputies are asking people to avoid the area at this time due to a heavy law enforcement presence.
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