Authorities said a convicted felon carjacked an off-duty highway trooper and led police on a wild chase before getting captured Tuesday in Florida.
Just before 1 A.M. Eastern time Tuesday, a man in a silver Volkswagen sedan rear-ended the off-duty highway patrolman in a 2021 Chevy Camaro at a red light, the Ocala Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. After the crash, the off-duty officer got out of his vehicle to assess the damage, but was confronted by the Volkswagen’s driver, identified by authorities as Morris Eliott Moore, with a gun. Moore stole the highway trooper’s phone, watch and wallet before driving off in the Camaro.
A female passenger riding with Moore then got into the silver sedan’s driver’s seat, and the pair drove off with both vehicles, police said. (RELATED: Police Chase A Car In The Bronx In Insane Viral Video)
The off-duty officer was able to track his Camaro using its OnStar system, and alerted authorities, the Ocala Police Department statement said. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to bring Moore in with a traffic stop, but Moore kept fleeing in the Camaro. The chase continued into Orange County, and several law enforcement agencies, including a Marion County air unit, responded, the Ocala Police Department said.
Carjacker makes a run for it after OnStar disabled the vehicle.(Screenshot/Facebook/Public — User: Ocala Police Department)
At an intersection, OnStar was able to disable the vehicle, forcing Moore to get out of the vehicle and try evading law enforcement on foot by running into a wooded area. Once in the woods, he jumped into a pond and attempted to hide underneath a small dock, but authorities and K-9 units were able to track him down and arrest him, according to the police.
Police apprehend carjacker hiding in pond. (Screenshot/Facebook/Public — User: Ocala Police Department)
Moore has an “extensive criminal history,” which includes several state felony convictions, according to the Ocala Police Department. Moore has been charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At the time of his arrest, he was on probation for another armed burglary he committed previously, police added.
Moore’s female accomplice who drove off in the silver Volkswagen remains at large, authorities also said.