VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man accused in an armed carjacking in Volusia County was later found hiding in mangroves after he ditched the car and jumped into the Halifax River, according to the sheriff’s office.
Grant Hagood-James, 34, was arrested Tuesday.
According to the sheriff’s office, a driver said he pulled over on South Atlantic Avenue after being flagged down by Hagood-James for a ride.
Hagood-James then pointed a gun at the driver, told him to get out of the car and then drove off in the vehicle, deputies said.
After the driver called 911, the vehicle was found abandoned near Seaway Avenue and S. Peninsula Drive.
The sheriff’s office said Hagood-James was then seen swimming in the water near Our Deck Down Under. He swam up to the deck of the restaurant, ran through the restaurant, threw away his shirt and jumped back into the Halifax River, deputies said.
Deputies, K-9s, Air-One, and a drone were sent out to search for the suspect, including boats from the Port Orange and Edgewater police departments.
The sheriff’s office said Hagood-James was eventually found in the mangroves about 50 yards away.
He was taken into custody and faces a charge of carjacking with a firearm.