June 4, 2021
Wednesday afternoon Lt. James Anderson, Commander of the LCSO Patrol Division, observed a person driving a John Deere Gator (UTV) on US Alt Hwy 27 near Bronson. The operation of a vehicle of this type on any public road in Levy County is prohibited. Lt. Anderson watched the person operating the UTV pull onto a dirt side road off the highway and approach a closed gate. It appeared this person was opening the gate in order to access private property. As Lt. Anderson continued to watch the subject in his rear view mirror he saw this person turned back onto the highway and accelerate away.
Seeing this suspicious behavior Lt. Anderson turned around and attempted to stop the UTV. The driver of the UTV attempted to elude Lt. Anderson by abruptly turning onto another dirt road south of Blue Springs Road, but lost control and crashed. The driver fled the crash scene on foot and was last seen by Lt. Anderson running west into the woods.
Multiple LCSO units responded to the area to assist in the search for the fleeing subject. The Florida Department of Corrections K-9 Unit responded to assist in the search as well as a helicopter from Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The subject was able to elude capture for several hours as a downpour of rain began shortly after he fled.
Shortly after 10:00 p.m. a Detective observed a male walking on SR 24 west of Bronson. He called for additional assistance and deputies confronted the individual. The person was identified as William Justin Ford (12/21/90) of Bronson. Ford was sweaty, scratched, bleeding and breathing heavily. He had no reasonable explanation for his condition. Lt. Anderson was contacted and positively identified Ford as the person who fled from him hours earlier.
Upon arrest, Ford was found to be in possession of nearly 12 grams of Methamphetamines and 2 grams of Fentanyl. The UTV was confirmed as a stolen vehicle, recently taken from a farm just east of Chiefland. Detectives are looking into the activities of Ford the day prior to his arrest. Any person who has information about William Ford is asked to contact Lt. Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Mr. Ford may be familiar to some of our readers. We published a press release in March of 2017 where we reported on his escape from the rear seat of a patrol vehicle after he had been arrested for possession of narcotics. He was returned to custody in May of 2017 and he remained incarcerated until his release from the Florida Department of Corrections in December of 2019. Mr. Ford has a lengthy criminal history with multiple felony convictions. We are hopeful he will be introduced to the Florida D.O.C. again in the near future for a lengthier sentence.
Mr. Ford is currently being held in the Levy County Detention Facility and is charged with multiple felonies. His bond has been set at $70,000.00 bond.