MEDIA RELEASE
Date: September 14, 2011
Time: 8:00 PM
On September 14, 2011 a state wide bolo (Be on Look Out) was issued for a murder suspect possibly driving a green Ford Explorer from Riviera Beach, Fl. Shortly after 5 Pm the Ocala Police Department located the suspect's vehicle and attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop. The driver refused to comply and a high speed chase ensued through the city of Ocala. The driver continued to elude officers and went northbound on Hwy 27 through Fellowship and Blitchton. Ocala Police Department notified the Levy County Sheriff's Office that they were going to enter Levy County and the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.
Major Evan Sullivan took over the pursuit at the Levy/Marion County line and the chase continued through the city of Williston. Sgt Wilbur Wells with Levy County Sheriff's Office set up stop sticks at Olive Drive & Hwy 27 and was successful in deflating the tires on the suspect's vehicle. The suspect continued northbound and his front/rear tires on the passenger side exploded. Refusing to stop, the suspect lost control and veered off the road in the area of Cr-102 & Hwy 27 striking several trees before coming to a rest on the passenger side.
The driver was transported to a local hospital where he is in stable condition. The driver of the Explorer was identified as the murder suspect, Robert Lee Benjamin, 55 years of age, from Riviera Beach, Fl.
Defendant:
Robert Lee Benjamin
1553 West 24th Street
Riviera Beach, Fl.
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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