Gainesville man arrested in High Springs after high-speed chase from southwest Gainesville
Staff report
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Adasian Chiziere Armstrong, 20, was arrested last night in High Springs after a high-speed chase that started near the Maa & Paa Liquor Store in southwest Gainesville.
An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy reported that a black 2018 Mercedes pulled out of the parking lot of Maa & Paa Liquor Store (6450 SW 8th Avenue) without coming to a complete stop. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, and the car initially stopped in the 600 block of SW 67th Terrace but then allegedly drove away westbound at a high rate of speed on SW 6th Place. Another deputy in a patrol vehicle came down SW 6th Place from the other end with lights and sirens active, and the Mercedes allegedly swerved into the patrol vehicle’s lane, causing the deputy to fear that the Mercedes intended to hit his patrol vehicle.
The Mercedes allegedly fled from deputies at speeds that sometimes exceeded 125 miles per hour, running several red lights and improperly passing several vehicles before crashing near the High Springs Civic Center, where Armstrong was ordered to get out of the car and was arrested.
Click here for video of the chase and arrest.
Armstrong’s license has been suspended since January 6 because he failed to pay a citation for not having proof of insurance.
A search of the vehicle reportedly produced about 10 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for MDMA, empty baggies, and three scales.
Post Miranda, Armstrong reportedly said he saw the deputies behind him but decided to “run” because he was “having a bad day”; he added that he swerved toward the patrol vehicle to scare the deputy and prevent him from blocking the whole roadway. He said he didn’t know anything about the drugs in the vehicle.
Armstrong has been charged with fleeing at high speed, aggravated assault on a deputy, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, reckless driving with property damage, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. The arresting deputy noted that he also issued citations for running two red lights.
Armstrong has no criminal convictions, but a sworn complaint was filed in January for domestic battery and hindering communication with law enforcement; the charges were later dropped.
Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $160,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
It seems more and more people are leading cops on these high speed chases of late. No regard for the cops’ lives or for the other citizens lives around them. We probably need more cops to respond in the way that Rodney King was treated after his high speed chase. Maybe that’s the only way people will learn.
That or all law enforcement needs to be able to use pit stop techniques to stop the runner. The state attorney and judicial system need to take prosecuting and sentencing more serious.
Ahhh yes….Maa & Paas liquor store. Right in the heart of one of Gainesvilles section 8 enclaves. Might want to take a pass though after the sun goes down.
6450 SW 8th Avenue
And some people want this area to be in the heart of the new conservtive utopia called Springs County.
Serious question to future county manage Lil Timmy. How will you Republicans stop all this crime?
Don’t give me your standard “build a bigger jail and pay for it with our no taxes.” Answer or prove you have no clue, and show the world the idea of a “Springs County” is a foolish B.S. idea.
Lovely. Please note that convenience store is practically across the street from the SWAG community tax-funded voter resource center. Maybe they need a cop substation instead?
Adasian Chiziere ? Huh? Oh well, what a charmer, totally willing to risk innocent people’s lives to run from the police.