OCALA, Fla. – A stolen vehicle led Ocala police on a multi-stage pursuit on July 23, 2024. The pursuit ended with the arrest of the driver and a passenger after a foot chase near the downtown square.
Officer Semler initially spotted the vehicle reported stolen out of Hillsborough County around 10:30 a.m. The driver, 32-year-old Andre Parker, fled, prompting a brief pursuit that was called off for safety concerns.
Captain Keuntjes later saw the vehicle heading downtown and followed discreetly. Parker abandoned the car in an alley behind Harry’s restaurant and fled on foot with two others.
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Ocala Police Captain Keuntjes pursued Parker, repeatedly ordering him to stop, and eventually apprehended him.
Parker and 35-year-old Demario Smith were arrested. Parker faces numerous charges, including grand theft, auto, and drug possession.
Smith was charged with resisting arrest. A third suspect remains at large.
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