Santa Rosa County law enforcement zeros in on stolen vehicle, driver runs
A Niceville, Fla. man was arrested by Santa Rosa County deputies after a felony takedown attempt to secure the reportedly stolen vehicle he was driving ended with a short high speed chase in Jay Monday afternoon.
James Dexter Jackson, 32, faces felony charges of vehicle theft, fleeing and eluding, stolen credit card and drug possession after deputies responded to a possible stolen white Jeep complaint out of Fort Walton Beach and attempted a traffic stop at the Exxon gas station on Highway 4 in Jay which led to a high speed pursuit.
According to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office report, J. Jackson and his passenger, Dustin Earl Jackson, were in the vehicle when it was spotted by law enforcement. Deputies verified the license plate number on the Jeep and attempted to secure it. The occupants refused to comply with deputies' commands and left the gas station at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued until deputies were stopped at a traffic light at Commerce Street on Highway 4, where they lost sight of the vehicle.
The report said a few minutes later the owner of an abandoned property in Highway 89 called in stating a white Jeep was behind the house, where no one was supposed to be.
Deputies arrived at the scene and secured the perimeter and the vehicle. Attempts to locate the occupants were unsuccessful but a deputy spoke with a witness who stated the passenger did not identify himself but stated he had a gun.
The witness said the driver had identified himself as James Dexter Jackson and was seen wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and flip-flops and that he was wanted in nine counties, according to the report.
Deputies received information a while later that one of the suspects, identified as the driver, was seen at the Dollar General store in Jay and gave his name as Dustin Earl Jackson. The report said on the driver’s person were the keys belonging to the stolen vehicle, the wallet and driver's license of the Jeep's owner and a credit card belonging to the victim. The suspect also had in his possession a cell phone labelled 'PROPERTY OF DOLLAR GENERAL', the report said. Staff at the store confirmed item belonged to the store and was valued at $130.
As the crime scene was being processed, a deputy found two small pieces of paper with a honey-colored resin coated on it with the odor of marijuana located in the driver's seat along with a tag in the backseat that was returned as stolen out of Escambia County, Fla.
J. Jackson was asked by law enforcement about the location of the firearm, which he confirmed was in D. Jackson's possession then refused to speak further without representation, the report stated.
J. Jackson was arrested and transported to Santa Rosa County Jail where he gave deputies a false name. Deputies confirmed his true identity based on documented tattoos and fingerprints, according to the report. J. Jackson was given a bond of $65,000.
