TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A man wanted for several burglaries in Leon County has been arrested after he led deputies on a chase but ran out gas before he could get away.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office says that they responded to a burglary alarm at City Electric Supply on Friday. When they arrived, they saw 34-year-old William Whitaker using a rock to break the glass on the front door of the business.
Before they could stop him, Whitaker got into his car and quickly drove off. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Whitaker refused to stop.
A short distance later, however, Whitaker was forced to stop when his car ran out of gas. He was then arrested by deputies.
Through the follow up investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and LCSO detectives, they found probable cause to charge Whitaker with three other break-ins.
Deputies say Whitaker was charged for two different burglaries on Wednesday, one at Buddy's Home Furniture and another at the Leon County Tax Collectors Office where he stole a home theater system and television respectively.
LCSO says Whitaker is connected to a break-in on Thursday at the Family Dollar on Crawfordville Road, where he is accused of stealing several packs of cigarettes. Deputies say Whitaker is also connected to a second break-in at Buddy's Home Furniture where nothing was reported stolen.
Whitaker was later taken to the Leon County Detention Facility for booking with pending charges.
He is facing the following charges:
- Fleeing and Eluding
- Resist Officer Obstruct Without Violence
- 4 Counts of Burglary of a Structure
- 3 Counts of Grand Theft $300 or more but less than $5000
- 3 Counts Criminal Mischief $200 or more but less than $1000
- Petit Theft
