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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man with suspended license leads multiple deputies on high-speed chase

A 49-year-old Ocala man led multiple deputies on a high-speed chase following a traffic stop.

On Wednesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to help a sergeant with a traffic stop on the 800 block of NW 30th Avenue in Ocala.

The sergeant had stopped a 2005 black Volvo for a moving violation and the driver was identified as Michael Samuel Johnson.

Ocala man with suspended license leads multiple deputies on high speed chase
Michael Samuel Johnson

A record check showed that Johnson had three active warrants for his arrest due to tampering with physical evidence, fleeing an officer, and resisting a law enforcement officer. His driver’s license was also suspended.

The deputy approached the driver’s side of the car to place Johnson under arrest. When the deputy mentioned the warrants, Johnson grabbed the shifter and managed to put the vehicle into drive.

According to the MCSO report, Johnson accelerated rapidly, and both the deputy and sergeant rushed into their respective patrol cars for pursuit.

The deputy and sergeant pursued Johnson down NW 30th Avenue, but they lost sight of him at W Silver Springs Boulevard and NW 30th Avenue.

Another MCSO deputy spotted Johnson by the Wawa at 3312 W Silver Springs Boulevard, and the deputy followed him southbound on SW 33rd Avenue.

Johnson turned onto SW 13th Street and began heading eastbound at speeds reaching 70 miles per hour. The MCSO report stated that deputies called off the pursuit shortly afterward since they already knew Johnson’s identity.

The deputies used investigative techniques and managed to locate Johnson on SW 147th Street where he was taken into custody.

Johnson told an MCSO deputy that he was scared, and this is reason why he fled. He was aware that he was fleeing from law enforcement.

He also denied any knowledge that his driver’s license was suspended.

Johnson was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing an additional felony charge for resisting an officer in addition to the previous felony charges related to his outstanding warrants.

A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on January 18, 2022, according to jail records.