Updated at 4:14 PM
From the Apopka Police Department Public Information Office
Cedrick Gant, B/M 03/11/1990, has been arrested and charged with Armed Car Jacking, Robbery with a Firearm, Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling, Fleeing and Eluding among other charges.
On Monday September 25, 2017 at approximately 9:20 am, the Apopka Police Department received a 911 call regarding an armed car-jacking at 2507 Sugar Sand Court. The victim advised Gant approached her outside of her home while she was in her vehicle. Gant had a military green rifle with him, threatened her with it, and stole her grey Ford Escape. The victim fled into her home.
The victim called 911 and the information was broadcast across Apopka police radio channels. A school resource sergeant saw the vehicle drive by the area of Apopka High School and, with other officers, attempted a stop on the suspect, at which time he fled in the Escape.
A pursuit followed and in the area of Roger Williams and Orange Blossom Trail, officers conducted a “PIT” maneuver (a technique to immobilize the suspect vehicle) which ended the vehicle pursuit. The suspect fled the vehicle into thick woods in the area and then into a nearby occupied home. The suspect’s rifle was left in the vehicle when he fled.
The occupants of the home fled the house upon his entry. A perimeter was established immediately by patrol and support officers to contain the suspect within the area. Apopka K-9 units, Orange County Sheriff’s Office K-9, as well as Orange County’s helicopter, responded to assist in the search. Suspect Gant fled the home after he changed his clothes and was subsequently located in a wooded area directly behind the residence he entered.
Gant was taken into custody. Gant complained of a medical issue and was transported by the Apopka Fire Department to the hospital for evaluation. He will be turned over to Orange County Corrections upon the conclusion of Apopka’s investigation.
The Apopka Police Department responded to a call this morning in which a man armed with an assault rifle carjacked a woman, the APD said. After a car chase and pursuit, the suspect was arrested by the APD. He is currently being interviewed at the APD Headquarters.
"Kudos to our dispatch unit," said APD Chief Michael McKinley. "After being notified of the crime, they put the vehicle description out. The Apopka High School (SRO) Officer left the high school to do an area check and saw the vehicle traveling southbound on Vick Road.
Officers chased the carjacker, whose identity hasn't been released, for several miles on South Orange Blossom Trail, according to Sgt. Kim Walsh, the Public Information Officer for the APD.
"The suspect sped and drove in the wrong direction during a portion of the pursuit," Walsh said.
"He led us on a chase," said Mc Kinley. "He traveled in the wrong direction briefly on 441. We made sure we did not pursue him in that direction. We kept the community safe while at the same time apprehending him."
Police said the driver crashed the stolen car into a police cruiser after an officer performed a pit maneuver. Investigators said the suspect ran into a nearby home, stole a cellphone and changed clothes before running away. Police said the family in the home was uninjured.
"The suspect ran from the home and was taken into custody," Walsh said.
McKinley was impressed with the effort of the APD.
"Our control units had a very quick response as well as our tactical units, and our criminal investigation units," he said. "They secured the area, and with the help of the Orange County Sheriff's K-9 unit, and the APD K-9 unit, we were able to locate the individual, and he is now under arrest."
No other details were given. This is a breaking news story and will be updated by The Apopka Voice as more details are known.
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