The Panama City Police Department continues the investigation of a suspicious vehicle andsubsequent pursuit that occurred near 20thStreet and Michigan Avenue on April 25th, 2013.
Through the investigation it was learned the driver forced an adult female victim by threat and force into the vehicle prior to the police contact. The victim and driver are known to each other. The driver was identified as Tyrone Dewayne Whitaker, 33 years of age, and arrest warrants were obtained for Kidnapping and Battery.
Assistance was requested from the United States Marshals Florida Regional Task Force to help locate and apprehend Whitaker. The task force is comprised of U.S. Marshals and members the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Panama City Police Department, and Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
Whitaker was located and apprehended by the task force on April 26, 2013 at approximately 6:00 am at a local motel and was transported to the Bay County Jail. Whitaker will be additionally charged with fleeing and eluding and driving on a suspended license from the original incident and trafficking in crack cocaine for narcotics located during his arrest.
The incident remains under investigation and additional charges are possible. If you have any information in reference to this incident, please contact Detective Perkins at the Panama City Police Department, 850-872-3112, or you can report your tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
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The Panama City Police Department is investigating an incident of a suspicious vehicle and suspicious persons call near 20th Street and Michigan Avenue. The call was received from a resident in the area on April 25th , 2013, at approximately 8:30 am.
The caller was concerned about a red Toyota car loitering in an alleyway with persons inside. As officers approached the vehicle, it pulled away and fled from the officers. The vehicle was pursued on residential streets for a short distance until supervisors terminated the pursuit.
The vehicle was located within minutes, abandoned near 20th Street and Frankford Avenue. An adult female walked up to officers at the scene and said she was a passenger in the car and was held against her will by the driver before and during the pursuit. The female personally knows the male and she was not injured.
The incident is still under investigation and officers are still attempting to locate the driver. The driver is described as a black male, 5’10”, approximately 185 pounds, close cut hair, wearing blue jean shorts, no shirt, and white tennis shoes. He was last seen around 20th
and Frankford Avenue.
The vehicle that fled and that has been recovered is a newer model red Toyota Camry.
If you have any information in reference to this incident, please contact Detective Perkins at the Panama City Police Department, 850-872-3112, or you can report your tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 850-785-TIPS.