BCSO catches car thief
Panama City man flees in stolen
vehicle after ramming patrol car
PANAMA CITY – A vehicle stolen from Washington County was recovered Aug. 7 in Bay County after deputies caught up with the driver on CR 2301 and later tracked him down after he fled the scene, according to a report from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
One patrol car approached the driver from the front when he came to a stop sign while a second patrol car pulled up behind the suspect, identified as Clifton T. Johnson, 27, of Panama City.
Johnson backed up and rammed the second patrol car, disabling it. The first patrol car pursued Johnson as he sped off. The chase was stopped due to high speeds and road conditions.
A short time later, Johnson was found on Muskogee Drive. Two passengers who had been traveling with him were coming out of the woods when deputies arrived at the scene. They said Johnson pulled a handgun on them during the pursuit and when he finally stopped, he forced them into the woods.
They told deputies that Johnson was still in the woods and had a gun.
The sheriff’s office K9, Ronnie, and his handler tracked down Johnson and took him into custody.
He is charged with fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, no valid ID, as well as two counts of kidnapping and false imprisonment. He is also facing charges in Washington County.
The deputy injured when Johnson rammed his patrol car was taken to a local hospital, treated and later released without serious injury.
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