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A Florida driver is being praised for refusing to cooperate with an armed man on the run from law enforcement. The driver survived the ordeal, while the suspect, identified as John Coker, was shot multiple times and is in critical condition. The chase began after a car equipped with GPS was reported stolen from a hospital. Coker eventually abandoned the vehicle and carjacked an innocent victim before being confronted by police. He pointed his gun at an officer, leading to shots being fired. The suspect is facing multiple charges and the incident is under investigation. Mark Price reported
Florida Driver Courageously Refuses to Cooperate with Armed Fugitive
A Florida driver is being hailed as courageous by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for refusing to cooperate with a “very dangerous” armed man who was on the run from law enforcement in two counties. Fortunately, the driver managed to survive the ordeal, while the suspect is currently in critical condition after being shot multiple times by officers.
Identified as John Coker, a 36-year-old with a history of eight felony convictions, the suspect initiated the chase after stealing a car equipped with GPS from AdventHealth Tampa hospital. The stolen car was traced to Pasco County, where it was eventually abandoned at a Publix in Dade City. The suspect then fled to a nearby neighborhood and sought refuge in a shed before carjacking an innocent victim in a last-ditch effort to escape.
The victim initially complied with the suspect’s demands but made a bold move by stopping the car when they spotted deputies along the road. Seizing the opportunity, the victim courageously sped away, leaving the suspect armed and alone in the vehicle. The sheriff’s office released video footage showing the suspect hiding in the back seat as they drove past the deputies, only to emerge and attempt to take control of the driver’s seat as the victim escaped. Eventually, the suspect was left on foot near a parking lot, where he was confronted by police and deputies.
According to officials, shots were fired when the suspect pointed his gun at a Dade City police officer. The suspect, whose identity remains unknown, is currently in critical but stable condition. Meanwhile, four Hillsborough County deputies involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation, which is standard procedure.
Authorities have revealed that the armed suspect, John Coker, was found to be in possession of two firearms. He will face multiple charges, including armed burglary of a vehicle, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, grand theft of a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, armed carjacking, armed burglary of a residence, and armed kidnapping.
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