Florida Man DeWayne Anthony Dean, 32, of Tampa, Florida is drying off in the Hillsborough County Jail after being arrested for a crime that involved assets from two law enforcement agencies, a foot pursuit, marine units, and finally a helicopter after the suspect jumped into the waters of Tampa Bay to avoid arrest.
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DeWayne Dean was in the parking lot of a hotel in the area of North Westshore Boulevard in Tampa when he thought it would be a good idea to snatch a woman’s purse. Witnesses saw DeWayne run towards the area of Cypress Pointe Beach and updated Tampa Police officers of his location. DeWayne decided that as his final act of buffoonery, it would be a great idea to jump into Tampa Bay and swim his way to freedom.
Tampa police apprehended a man accused of robbing a woman Saturday morning and then jumping into the bay to get away from police. https://t.co/GAXmyg2gQA
— South Tampa Patch (@SouthTampaPatch) October 3, 2022
Florida: Tampa police officers took to land, sea and air in pursuit of a Florida man accused of snatching a woman’s wallet after he swam out into Tampa Bay to avoid being arrested. #mirrornow #newsupdates #wallettheft pic.twitter.com/ntSRvG2ejm
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) October 3, 2022
(Newsweek):#Helicopter #Chases Florida Man Fleeing Crime Scene by Running Into the Sea : The Tampa Police Department confirmed the suspect got around 200 feet into the ocean before being nabbed. .. https://t.co/lbVyNGLJ7z
— NewsOnePlace.com (@newsoneplace) October 3, 2022
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit had other plans for DeWayne. He swam into the bay and made it about 200 yards offshore when the Sheriff’s helicopter arrived. The Tampa Police Department Facebook page features a picture of DeWayne with his hands in the air surrendering to their hovering helicopter, with the caption “ARRESTED. You can’t run from the chopper”
DeWayne was transported to The Hillsborough County Jail and charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching (Purse Snatching) and Resisting an Officer Without Violence (running away). He is still in jail held on a no bond status.
According to Hillsborough County Jail records DeWayne is no stranger to Law Enforcement. A standard teletype check after his arrest revealed Outstanding warrants for a list of charges including Violation of Probation (VOP) – Violation of Probation (VOP) – Possession of Cocaine, Violation of Probation (VOP) – Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Violation of Probation (VOP) – Fleeing to Elude Police at High Speed, and recently issued warrants for Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Woman, and Battery as a Second or Subsequent Offense.
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