MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) — A Marion County man was arrested Monday morning after fleeing a traffic stop, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
Around 8 a.m., Traffic Unit Corporal Gary Miller observed a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit on NW 27th Avenue. When Miller attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Leroy Graham, initially refused to pull over.
MCSO said Graham continued to drive at normal speeds for several minutes before accelerating near I-75 on NW Blitchton Road. As Graham began to flee at a high rate of speed, Corporal Miller attempted several Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) maneuvers. Despite these efforts, Graham maintained control of the vehicle.
Additional units from MCSO, the Ocala Police Department, and the MCSO Aviation Unit joined the pursuit. The chase ended when Graham turned onto SW Highway 200 and came to a stop.
Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop and took Graham into custody. According to MCSO, Graham told deputies he fled because he did not have a valid driver’s license.
Graham was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail.