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3rd Arrest Made In Polk Car Chase Where Deputies Faced Gunfire

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

LAKELAND - Polk County authorities say they have caught a third person involved in a chase in which shots were fired at deputies.

Jody Palmer, 22, was found Friday at his mother's house near County Road 557-A and Evans Road, said Polk County Sheriff's Office spokesman Scott Wilder. Detectives received a tip, and deputies and SWAT team members surrounded the home of the mother, Marlene.

The mother and two other people were in the home with Palmer, investigators said. Palmer came out and was arrested about 11 a.m.

Authorities said they had been searching for Palmer since Thursday night when he fled after firing three shots at a deputy who tried to stop the car he was riding in.

It started about 6:15 p.m. when a deputy noticed Palmer standing next to a car in front of a house under construction at 8349 Cypress Trace Boulevard.

The deputy told Palmer to move along. The deputy then saw Palmer and two other people identified as his cousin, Edward Palmer, 31, and Mary Just, 41, driving away. The deputy followed the car and tried to make a traffic stop at Walt Williams and Old Polk City roads, according to the arrest affidavit.

The car, driven by Edward Palmer, did not stop, so several deputies pursued it north on Galloway Road. Jody Palmer then fired three times at one of the deputies, the affidavit states.

When the pursuit entered Lakeland, deputies placed stop-sticks on Bella Vista Street to disable the vehicle. The car went out of control and struck a silver pickup, the sheriff's office said. Jody Palmer and Edward Palmer then fled on foot, as Edward Palmer pointed a handgun at deputies, the sheriff's office said.
Edward Palmer approached the pickup, threatening to shoot the driver unless he got out, and continued fleeing from deputies, the sheriff's office said. Palmer abandoned the truck at U.S. 98 and Gary Road. He was found under a house there about 9:45 p.m., the sheriff's office said.

Edward Palmer, of 1303 Spencer St., Plant City, is charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, armed carjacking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer with violence, and possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia.

Jody Palmer, of 504 Woodland Ave., Lakeland, was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, armed carjacking, burglary of a residence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer with violence, and outstanding warrants for fraudulent use of a credit card, fraudulent use of personal identification and theft.

Just, who was a front-seat passenger in the car, stayed inside when it stopped, according to the arrest affidavit. She told investigators she was Edward Palmer's girlfriend and that the two men are cousins. She also told investigators they had driven to the home under construction to steal something.

Just, of 1914 Jerry Road, Lakeland, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. All three are being held without bail.

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