Escaped inmate caught after crashing stolen vehicle, police say

Devonte Bodison, 20, arrested, booked into Polk County Jail

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – An inmate who escaped from Lake County was captured after crashing a stolen vehicle Sunday, police said.

The Winter Haven Police Department said the Polk County Sheriff's Office
was made aware of the stolen 2016 white Chrysler 300 with the escaped prisoner, Devonte Bodison, 20, driving.

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The vehicle was first spotted on First Street and then turned onto Avenue B downtown, police said, but they did not attempt to pull him over immediately because of an annual arts festival happening in the Central Park area.

Once past the downtown area, officers said they attempted to stop Bodison at Third Street and Avenue D, but as they approached, Bodison took off again and traveled a ways until the car left the roadway and struck a concrete lawn ornament, causing the front wheel to come off. The car then flipped over on its side and skidded down the road about 20 feet, where it came to a stop in a yard.

Police said Bodison got out of the car through the sun roof and ran, but was quickly apprehended.

He will be booked into the Polk County Jail on possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of fleeing to elude, resisting arrest without violence, leaving the scene of an accident and Columbia County Department of Corrections escaped prisoner charges.


About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

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