HollyMatkinSilver Springs, FL – A Florida fugitive shot heroin in the middle of a pursuit before being captured (video below).
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Property Crimes Detective Jason Hunt went to the residence of a relative of fugitive John Stephens on Nov. 27 in an effort to arrest him on outstanding warrants, the MCSO said.
When Stephens saw Det. Hunt, he ran out of the house and stole a family member’s vehicle.
While MCSO dash cams recorded, Stephens led officers on a vehicle pursuit, which ultimately ended at the same location where it originally began.
Stephens then lept from the stolen vehicle, jumped over a fence, and fled from officers on foot. MCSO K-9 Officer Tipster was faster.
Within seconds, Officer Tipster latched on to Stephens’ right arm and Stephens fell to his knees.
Bodycam footage captured the takedown.
“Stephens later told deputies that he was “taking a shot” of heroin during the car chase and that he was sorry for what he did because he was high on drugs,” the MCSO posted on the department’s Facebook page.
“I’m on drugs and I didn’t know what I was doing,” Stephens said in the video as he was being handcuffed. “You hear me?”
Police said Stephens received a bite on the arm, along with new charges of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, resisting without violence, driving on a suspended or revoked license, and possession of heroin.
He was also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, and resisting an officer without violence for a completely separate incident that occurred earlier in November, as well as the outstanding warrants for grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fraud, and two counts of conveyance as Det. Hunt had originally intended.
According to State records, Stephens was placed on drug-offender probation until May, 2020 due to multiple convictions, including uttering a forged instrument and burglary, the Ocala StarBanner reported.
Stephens remained at the Marion County Jail on no bond following his latest arrest.
His next court date is scheduled for early January, the Ocala StarBanner reported.
You can see the video of the pursuit below: