FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Several law enforcement agencies worked together to capture a suspected carjacker after they were led on a multi-county chase.
The chase began Friday afternoon after officers spotted a stolen vehicle that matched the description outside of a home on the 1000 block of Northwest 24th Avenue.
When the driver left the scene, police attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect took off.
The subject then traveled westbound on Sunrise Boulevard, passing State Road 7. Fort Lauderdale Police continued following the vehicle, which headed northbound on the Florida Turnpike toward Palm Beach County.
The subject traveled at speeds reaching over 100 mph during the approximately 30-minute pursuit.
7Skyforce hovered over the scene where the vehicle, a white Kia, was stalled in traffic about a mile south on Boynton Beach Boulevard.
The subject continued to elude police and approached the Beeline Highway in Palm Beach Gardens. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper than initiated a pit maneuver, which caused the driver to lose control.
The driver was then taken into custody and transported by paramedics for an unspecified medical issue.
Police confirmed the vehicle they were following was taken during a carjacking and kidnapping that occurred Friday morning in Fort Lauderdale.
“It all started here in downtown,” said Fort Lauderdale Police spokesperson Casey Liening.
Police were notified about the car theft and kidnapping at around 6 a.m.
Investigators said the male driver was targeted near Himmarshee Street and Southwest Third Avenue
The victim was sitting in their vehicle when the armed subject entered through the passenger side. They then told the victim to drive the white Kia sedan.
During that time, the victim was beaten and suffered minor injuries. After a few hours, investigators said, the subject let the victim out of the vehicle and then fled the scene with their vehicle.
The recent carjacking was similar to an incident that occurred on Saturday. In that case, the suspect was accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a woman.
“There are a lot of similar circumstances in [Friday’s] incident that relate to the Saturday incident,” said Liening, “such as an armed carjacking, armed kidnapping, two hours in length approximately.”
Police on Friday distributed flyers with a sketch of the victim in hopes someone will recognize him.
Detectives spent late Friday at the home where the Kia was spotted earlier in the day, as they searched for clues.
“So that we can prevent this from happening again,” said Liening.
The Florida Highway Patrol, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office assisted Fort Lauderdale Police during the pursuit.
If you have any information on these incidents that could help investigators, call Fort Lauderdale Police at 954-828-5700 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.