Habitual Traffic Offender Flees Deputy– Found by K-9 Behr

 

February 28, 2022

On February 20, 2022 Deputies responded to the area of Cason Acres in Inglis to a reckless driver report. Citizens complained that a white Chevy Tahoe was speeding down the roads and the vehicle did not have a tag on it. Deputies arrived in the area and located the Tahoe traveling on Lori Street swerving back and forth at a speed above the posted speed limit and attempted to stop the driver.

The driver fled from our marked patrol unit and the deputy gave chase. The pursuit weaved through Cason Acres reaching speeds of 70+ mph before crossing US 19 on CR 40 West. The fleeing driver lost control of the Tahoe near SE 185^th Street and became stuck in the ditch. The driver then fled on foot into a wooded area.

Deputy Alton Horne and his K-9 partner Behr came to assist. Behr found the tracks of the fleeing suspect and tracked him through the woods to a nearby home. Deputies surrounded the home and located Jake Bryant (7/29/80) of Inglis, hiding in a travel trailer parked adjacent to the home.  Bryant, who was sweating and covered in mud was taken into custody, but refused to talk.

Deputies searched the Tahoe and found Bryant’s wallet and identification inside. Bryant, a habitual traffic offender was arrested and charged with fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, driving with a suspended license (habitual), resisting arrest without violence and failure to register a motor vehicle. He is being held at the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $126,000.00 bond.

Stolen Gun and Drugs Recovered During Traffic Stop

 

February 22, 2022

Deputy Nelson Macias used his radar to clock a speeding red Ford truck at 73 mph in a posted 55 mph zone on SR 24 near University Oaks late Friday night. Deputy Macias stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, identified as Otis Randolph Johnson (9/6/77) of Bronson. Johnson was acting very suspicious so Deputy Macias called for assistance.

Deputy Alton Horne arrived with his K-9 Behr to assist. Deputy Horne walked Behr around Johnson’s truck and Behr alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputy Macias had Johnson exit the truck so it could be searched.

Deputy Macias located a loaded 9mm pistol and discovered the gun was reported stolen from the City of Williston. Deputy Macias also found 10 grams of methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia (scales and baggies for packaging and selling the narcotics) in the truck and $741 in cash in Johnson’s pocket.

This arrest marks Johnson’s eighth arrest in Levy County. He is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. Johnson was charged with possession of methamphetamines with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond has been set at $65,000.00.

New Charges Filed on Robert Burkhart

 

February 16, 2022

Levy County Detectives have filed new charges on Robert Burkhart (2/12/93) of Bronson. Burkhart is currently incarcerated in the Levy County Detention Center. He was arrested in May of 2021 for multiple charges to include aggravated child abuse and aggravated battery stemming from a domestic dispute. He is being held on a $300,000.00 bond which will increase after his first appearance on the new charges.

Detectives learned Burkhart was involved in a romantic affair with a 17 year old girl beginning in 2020. Unknown to this child, Burkhart was using his cell phone to photograph and video record her while they were engaged in sexual encounters. The victim recently learned Burkhart used his phone for this purpose and told law enforcement. Detectives secured a search warrant for the phone and found the photographs and videos the victim described. Detectives filed the charges of production of child pornography and use of a 2 way communication device to facilitate a felony. It is unknown if Burkhart sent any of these photos or video to any other person.

Detectives believe Burkhart has more victims in our community who have yet to come forward to report his crimes. Any person who has information that would aid this on-going investigation or wishes to report any crime Burkhart committed is asked to contact Detective Ryan Sullivan at 352-486-5111 ext. 360. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477 to report any tips.

Attempted Murder Arrest

 

February 10, 2022

On February 9, 2022 Levy County Deputies and Detectives responded to a location near the intersection of NW 137 Court and CR 320 east of US 19 at approximately 5:00 p.m. to a reported shooting incident. Detectives learned a 911 call had been placed by a female who resides in the Manatee Farms subdivision west of US 19 off of CR 320 who reported a suspicious man in her yard. The woman confronted this man who made disturbing comments to her. She then followed the suspicious male in her vehicle as he departed the subdivision. As she followed the suspicious person she called her brother who also resides in the general area.

The brother, identified as Jeffrey Madden (7/18/80) of Chiefland located his sister still following the suspicious male. Madden attempted to force the man off the road and then rammed his truck into his vehicle causing him to crash. Witness testimony revealed Madden exited his truck armed with a handgun and opened fire on the suspicious male.

First arriving deputies took Madden into custody and rendered aid to the victim. The victim, identified as a 65 year old male from Atlantic Beach, Florida was transported by ambulance from the scene. He suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his head.

Madden was interviewed by Detectives and later booked into the Levy County Detention Center. He has been charged with one count of attempted felony murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. His bond has been set at $1.5 million dollars.

This investigation is still on-going and Detectives are seeking any community member who may have information related to this case. Witnesses are urged to contact Detective Rob Bowers at 352-486-5111 ext. 266 or Detective Ryan Sullivan at 352-486-5111 ext. 360. Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.