A couple was jailed Tuesday after being accused of armed carjacking.
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy was called at about 2 a.m. to the Super 8 Motel on W. Silver Springs Boulevard in reference to a carjacking that had occurred earlier. The deputy made contact with two victims who said they received a text message from 29-year-old Walter Kaltz Briggs requesting to be picked up at the Holiday Travel RV Park. When the victims went to the location, they said Murphy and 19-year-old Dakota Christine Murphy entered their blue Volkswagen Jetta.
A short time later, Briggs allegedly brandished a firearm and demanded that the victims exit their vehicle. He then moved into the driver’s seat and sped away with Murphy, a sheriff’s office report states.
The couple was eventually located during a traffic stop conducted by another deputy at about 8 a.m. They were still driving the Volkswagen and a detective located a firearm under the driver’s seat. Briggs and Murphy were then transported to the sheriff’s office for questioning, the report says.
Briggs originally claimed he had rented the vehicle but later said, “Just take me to booking.” When Murphy was interviewed, she initially denied accompanying Briggs at the time of the carjacking but ultimately admitted to being with him, the report says.
Briggs and Murphy were both transported to the Marion County Jail. Briggs, of McIntosh, was arrested for carjacking with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held on $55,000 bond.
Murphy, of Ocala, also was arrested for carjacking with a firearm and was being held on $50,000 bond.