MARION COUNTY, FL – A suspect fleeing police in a high-speed pursuit ended up leading police right back to their own police station. A man driving a stolen car eluded police and while attempting to pass other cars in traffic crashed outside the police station.
On Saturday, September 18, 2021, Corporal Luiken conducted a traffic stop on a black BMW bearing a STOLEN Florida tag NTEW96 in the area of Baseline Road and Cherry Road. The driver, later identified as 47-year-old Joseph Cates, pulled over, but as soon as Cpl. Luiken started walking towards the vehicle, he took off.
A pursuit was initiated until Cates lost control of the vehicle in the area of our South-Multi District Office on Highway 441 and crashed into the woods.
Cates decided to flee on foot, but was apprehended by Cpl. Remington a short distance away. Cates tried to say it wasn’t him. However, the keys to the vehicle were in his pocket, along with methamphetamine, and his Florida ID card was located on the driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle.
He was arrested and transported to our lovely Gold Star Hotel (for those who are new, that is our Jail). Cates was charged with Flee/Elude, Grand Theft Auto, Possession of Meth, Resisting Arrest, DWLSR 3rd Offense, and two counts of Petit Theft.