Florida Man, 45, is in the Orange County Jail after he stole a Semi truck in Georgia, which turned into a Tri-County pursuit, a SWAT standoff, and lockdown at the Orlando VA Hospital in Orlando’s Lake Nona area.
The incident started when Dial stole a Semi truck that records show was registered in Gwinnett County, Georgia. At approximately 5:15 p.m. He was driving it through Ocala, Florida, where he struck an unoccupied Ocala Police car in the 1300 block of SE 17th street. There were also reports that he struck other parked vehicles also. The Ocala Police initiated a pursuit, and as the chase continued, more and more agencies joined in until it appeared to turn into a “parade,” according to a comment heard on police dashcam footage.
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A video released by Ocala Police shows Ocala officers chasing the semi on back streets through Ocala while Dial blew through stop signs and red lights. The pursuit continued through Marion, Lake, and Orange Counties until Dial stopped near the VA hospital in Orlando.
As the pursuit neared Orange County, the County Sheriff’s Office Chase helicopter joined in and started following the truck until it parked near the VA Hospital entrance gate on Laureate Way.
Video released Thursday shows Ocala police chasing a stolen semitruck driven by a man accused in an hourslong standoff at the Orlando VA Medical Center Monday, according to officers. https://t.co/BYCQhs99TW
— News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) December 29, 2022
The Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona was placed on lockdown Monday evening after a driver of a stolen semi-tractor barricaded himself outside the hospital for several hours, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. https://t.co/u5ONJScaTO
— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) December 27, 2022
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Dial barricaded himself in the semi, and an hours-long standoff began, with the hospital forced to lockdown. Dial refused to surrender and was seen moving items around inside the truck. Eventually, Dial surrendered and was taken into custody at around midnight. He was transported to the Orange County jail and charged with fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Dial is being held without bond and is facing out-of-county warrants in Marion and Lake counties for leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and more.
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