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High-Speed Chase Led To Murder Suspect's Arrest

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: December 11, 2007

Updated: 12/11/2007 06:46 pm

Joshua Wilkins, charged with slaying of a 28-year-old Tampa man, led Texas deputies on a high speed chase before he was arrested, Kendall County officials said.

Wilkins, 23, of Zephyrhills, was arrested at 11:25 p.m. on Saturday in the victim's stolen car, Kendall County sheriff's Lt. Louis Martinez said. Wilkins drove in excess of 85 mph on Interstate 10 as he attempted to elude deputies, Martinez said.

Wilkins lost control of the car and crashed near Comfort, Texas, Martinez said. He is being held without bail stemming from the Hillsborough County first-degree murder charge. He also is being held by Texas authorities for the high-speed chase.

Wilkins is accused of killing Wesley Bonham last week and taking his car, a 1998 Honda Accord with Oklahoma tags. Authorities put out an alert.

On Dec. 7, a roommate found the body underneath a comforter in an apartment on Valor Circle. The victim lived at the Breckenridge Apartments in one of four units that all share a common area.

Bonham was stabbed at least 18 times, Hillsborough officials said. Evidence indicated that he was stabbed in at least two locations in the home, Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Hillsborough County detectives flew to Texas shortly after Wilkins' arrest to interview him and charge him with grand theft auto.

Wilkins will be extradited to Hillsborough County later, Carter said.

Two bloody knives thought to be the murder weapons were found within the couch, which the killer used to barricade the front door, Carter said.

Bonham met Wilkins at a gym in New Tampa a few days before the slaying, Carter said.

Bonham's father, David Bonham, said Wilkins was at Lifestyle Family Fitness Center, where Bonham worked, asking for a place to stay. After two days living together, his son was figuring out how to get Wilkins to leave but hadn't kicked him out, David Bonham said.

Wilkins has prior arrests dating to 1998 stemming from charges of burglary, larceny, trespassing and carrying a concealed weapon, according to records.

Reporter Mike Wells contributed to this report. Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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