UPDATE:
KnightNews.com just received this statement from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office announcing the attempted murder suspect has been arrested:
“Demarcus Reddick, the 20 year old man wanted for Conspiracy to Commit Murder and the subject of an extensive search in Oviedo during the evening of December 2, 2009, has turned himself in to Seminole County Deputies at the Oviedo Marketplace Mall this morning around 10:00 AM.
Reddick was able to run from Orange County deputies when they attempted to take him into custody at a Circle K store near Dean and University late Wednesday afternoon. He fled the arrest attempt at a high rate of speed ultimately crashing his vehicle on Alafaya Trail just north of Mitchell Hammock Road.
Reddick was transported to and booked into the Seminole County Jail following his arrest.”
Original Story from 12/3:
Cops say a dangerous gang member who shot someone in the face at a local Hess station is on the run and causing problems in the UCF area.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office told KnightNews.com deputies have been after Demarcus Reddick, 20, since they say he committed attempted murder at the Hess on Colonial and Forsythe Octoboer, 25.
Deputies, who had been conducting surveillance on Reddick, decided to move in on him when he pulled into a Circle K near UCF on Dean and University Wednesday afternoon, but when they did he sped off in his car.
Reddick was driving so recklessly, deputies say, they did not chase him on the ground, but instead used a helicopter to follow him.
“They did not pursue the fleeing felon because of heavy traffic and reports from the helicopter crew that he was driving recklessly and endangering the public,” sheriff’s spokesman Jim Solomons told KnightNews.com.
The accused attempted killer drove right past the entrance to UCF, then turned northbound on Alafaya Trail and ditched his car just north of Mitchell Hammock Road in Oviedo.
“He bailed out of the car, leaving it in drive and allowing it to crash into a fence,” Solomons said, adding that Reddick continued fleeing on foot and escaped capture, despite help from Oviedo Police and Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Reddick’s driving is believed to have caused a crash on Champan road, near the Riverwind student housing apartments, Solomons said. No one was injured.
Solomons said they believe Reddick plans to commit a murder soon, and charges are pending for conspiracy to do so, in addition to his previous attempted murder charge.
Deputies believe Reddick may be hiding out with family in Oviedo.
“Anyone with information on Reddick’s whereabouts should contact law enforcement immediately,” Solomons said. “He should be considered armed, dangerous, and willing to resort to violence to avoid capture.”
