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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala police officer carjacked at gunpoint while off duty

A convicted felon was arrested on multiple charges after rear-ending an off-duty Ocala Police Department officer, pointing his gun at him, stealing his car, and then leading police on a dangerous, high-speed pursuit across multiple counties.

On Tuesday, August 17, around 12:40 a.m., the Ocala Police Department responded to an armed carjacking that occurred at the intersection of SW State Road 200 and SW 38th Street.

The victim, who happened to be an off-duty officer, was stopped at a red light when the carjacker, driving a silver Volkswagen, rear-ended him at a low speed.

When the victim got out of his car to check the damage, the carjacker, Eliott Moore, a convicted felon, pointed a gun at him, according to the Ocala Police Department.

Off duty Ocala police officer carjacked at gunpoint
Eliott Moore

Moore stole his watch, cell phone, wallet and his 2021 Chevrolet Camaro. Inside the silver Volkswagen was a female who got into the driver’s seat and followed closely behind the stolen car, according to OPD.

The victim had an OnStar account set up in his car and was able to see that the carjacker was headed southbound on Florida’s Turnpike. Several law enforcement agencies were notified, including the air unit with Marion County Sheriff’s Office. MCSO Air One quickly located the stolen car.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but a vehicle pursuit occurred and continued into Orange County. OnStar was able to disable the car at the intersection of West Colonial Drive and Deer Isle Dr, according to OPD.

Moore then fled on foot and jumped into a nearby pond. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and a Winter Garden Police K-9 Officer were able to track and locate Moore in the water underneath a dock, where he was arrested.

Morris is on active probation for armed burglary and has a criminal history which includes aggravated fleeing and eluding with involuntary vehicular manslaughter (found guilty and sentenced to 15 years state prison), robbery with a firearm and armed trespassing.

Morris was charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reports OPD.