JACKSON Co., FL (WTXL) - After gas station employees unsuccessfully attempted to stop a suspected shoplifter, deputies were led on a high-speed car chase the exceeded 100 miles per hour in Jackson County.
Richard Shane Anderson, 42, was arrested for retail theft, resisting a merchant, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies say on Sunday around 3 p.m they were called to the Pilot Travel Center for a retail theft in progress. Store employees were attempted to stop Anderson before he pushed one of the employees and fled the store. Anderson is said to have returned to the store to leave with his vehicle.
Anderson's car was seen by deputies who attempted to pull him over. They say Anderson accelerated the car and deputies chased him.
While pursuing him Anderson was seen throwing items out of the car, later identified as items taken from the store.
Anderson approached a dead end and drove off the road to get around the officer following him. Another officer tried blocking the road but Anderson drove around him on the shoulder of the road.
The chase continued onto Highway 71 where Anderson is said to have gone over 100 miles per hour.
Deputies say the chase went on and at times, Anderson drove into a field, attempted to strike an officer, and drove through his neighbor's yard.
He eventually made it to the Chipola River where he got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies say they followed Anderson through "a muddy slough that branches off of the river," a field, and across a bend in the river.
Deputies lost sight of Anderson but found him again where they were able to tase and arrest him. Anderson was taken to the Jackson County Correctional Facility.
