Monday, May 18, 2020

William Lancaster Arrested

May 18, 2020

As some may recall from a recent press release, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office were looking for William Lancaster. William ran from Levy County Deputies last week and was able to evade capture. The following day a truck and goose neck trailer was reported stolen near where William was last seen. The trailer was found abandoned but the truck was still missing. 

On Sunday, May 17, 2020 Deputies were surveilling residences in the Fanning Springs area. Deputies spoke to a homeowner who not only confirmed William was inside asleep, but also gave our deputies permission to go inside and get him. 

William Lancaster was passed out on the couch. Once awakened by Corporal Jeremy Dean and Deputy Al Horne, William made series of horrible decisions. Instead of surrendering peacefully, he decided to run. His efforts were quickly interrupted by Corporal Dean who tackled him to the ground. William began to struggle to escape from Corporal Dean’s grasp. Corporal Dean had most of this situation under control and Deputy Horne came to assist. 

This is when William meets Deputy Horne. True to form, William makes yet another bad decision and grabs Deputy Horne by his bullet proof vest and tries to throw him, to no avail. 

William was searched after he was handcuffed. Inside of his pockets deputies found pills and needles. William confessed he had taken some of his pills along with some meth just prior to deputies getting there. The drugs he ingested apparently caused William to pass out. Deputies quickly sprang into action and gave William a dose of Narcan which they carry on their duty belt, to bring him back around. EMS was contacted and recommended he be taken to the hospital for follow-up treatment.
William’s stay at the hospital was short. William is currently being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. He has been charged with drug offenses and battery on deputies as well as his previous crime of domestic battery. His bond has not yet been assigned. 

As a side note, the truck reported stolen was located in the Suwannee River in Gilchrist County on Saturday. The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office responded and with some assistance was able to remove the truck from its watery surroundings. It is suspected William drove the truck into the river to conceal it and attempt to destroy evidence. Levy County Detectives are asking anyone that saw William in possession of this truck to please contact Detective Justin Douglas at 352-486-5111.