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Police Find Their Man In A Tampa Mausoleum

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2007

TAMPA - A man in a stolen Honda Accord fled from police early today, crashed the vehicle into a light pole and tried to hide out in a mausoleum, Tampa police say.

Demetrius E. Johnson, 38, of Tampa was arrested at 3:45 a.m. in the 4200 block of East Lake Avenue at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

The chase began when police saw a gold colored Accord they suspected was stolen and stopped it at 50th Street and 26th Avenue, a criminal arrest affidavit states.

Johnson got out of the Honda, but when officers identified themselves and told him to stay put, he jumped back in the car, turned off its headlights and fled at high speed, authorities said.

Soon after that, an officer in a marked police cruiser got behind the Honda and turned on the cruiser's lights and siren.

The Honda sped up and later crashed into a light pole, the affidavit states. The Honda was totaled.

Johnson fled on foot, according to the affidavit.

Police used a canine unit in the search for Johnson, who was found in a mausoleum.

In the center console of the Accord, officers found a crack pipe with cocaine residue, the affidavit states.

Johnson, of 2907 N. Cord St., was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, cocaine possession, leaving the scene of a crash, reckless driving, obstructing or opposing an officer without violence, possession of drug paraphernalia and not having a valid driver's license.

Johnson was taken to Orient Road Jail. His bail was set at $11,250.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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