JSO: 14-year-old was driving officer's stolen pickup

Driver taken into custody; passenger in stolen vehicle runs, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pickup truck stolen from a Jacksonville police officer was recovered Tuesday night after a chase, and the teenager who was driving it was arrested, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.

Officers saw the stolen pickup leaving the Roosevelt Gardens Apartments on Lincoln Court just after 9 p.m. The driver didn't stop, and a short pursuit ended when the pickup struck a police cruiser and crashed into a power pole on North Davis Street, splitting it in half, according to police.

Police said 14-year-old Patrick Bell, who driving the pickup, was taken into custody after a short foot chase in which a K-9 unit was deployed, but a passenger in the vehicle ran off. 

No injuries were reported. The officer's missing dog was not in the pickup and is still missing, as are guns taken during the burglary.

Bell is charged with armed burglary, auto theft, one count of aggravated battery on an officer and three counts of aggravated assault on an officer.

Bell's father told News4Jax that he doesn't believe his son was involved, saying, "These are only allegations. Everybody has a right to due process."

Crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said it's only a matter of time before police find the person who ran from the pickup.

"They can process the truck now and get fingerprints from the truck," Smith said. "Also from the suspect that was there, I’m sure that detectives will be able to tell who the person was."

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the second person is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

Friends of the police officer began searching for his dog, Hemingway, after he said burglars broke into his Murray Hill home Monday afternoon and stole guns, jewelry and his 2010 Toyota Tacoma.

There is a $1,000 reward for the safe return of the 8-year-old pit bull who wears a brown leather collar. 


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.