MEDIA RELEASE
Date: April 22, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM
On Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Cody Thatcher, 15 years of age, from Clay County, was arrested for grand theft auto. Thatcher stole a vehicle in Clay County on April 18, 2011 and drove the vehicle to Levy County. Thatcher abandoned the stolen vehicle in the parking lot at Bronson High School and left on foot.
For two days, Thatcher terrorized Bronson residents by stealing another vehicle parked in the driveway in Bronson. The victim reported that the stolen car had minimum gas, because the low gas light has been on for over two days. In the early morning hours of Wednesday, a citizen caught Thatcher attempting to steal gas from their vehicle. The victim chased Thatcher in their vehicle and they were unaware they were chasing an auto thief suspect. A deputy patrolling the area was unaware of what just occurred and seen the vehicles approaching him at a high rate of speed. Thatcher traveling over 70 MPH almost struck the deputy head on. The deputy had to run off the road to avoid a traffic crash and immediately turned around and gave chase. Thatcher ran several stop signs and jumped out of the stolen car leaving it unattended. Deputies set up a perimeter but Thatcher was able to escape.
The Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call at 7:08 AM from a Bronson resident off Town Court. The caller stated that a white male was beating on the windows and attempting to enter the house. Deputies arrived within minutes of the call, but Thatcher entered the front door and ran out the back door. Thatcher fled on foot in the woods and a perimeter was set up. Several deputies were on foot searching for Thatcher, when Major Evan Sullivan located Thatcher walking in the area of Pine Street/Hwy 27. A foot pursuit ensued and Deputy Jason Gallup and Sullivan apprehended Thatcher in Bronson Villas. Thatcher has a past criminal history and he is currently on probation.
Defendant:
Cody Thatcher
W/M, 07/19/95
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218