ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A wanted fugitive out of the Bahamas accused of fleeing from a traffic stop and leading St. Johns County deputies on a high-speed chase on Thursday, appeared in court for the first time Friday morning.
After a successful PIT maneuver, officials said Tomal Bowe, 33, fled on foot, stole a van and fled at a high speed down International Golf Parkway towards US-1.
The arrest report said that Bowe drove the wrong way on I-95, crossing all lanes.
He then left the vehicle on US-1 near Abbotts Way, sparking an hours-long search. Multiple air and K-9 units were on scene tracking Bowe through a heavily wooded and marshy area.
The incident caused significant traffic backups on I-95 South.
Bowe was arrested a couple of hours later.
A viewer submitted a video that shows Bowe driving into oncoming traffic. Watch the video below.
Bowe is charged with felony fleeing and eluding, grand theft auto, resisting without violence, possession of marijuana and multiple out-of-county warrants. He is also a wanted fugitive out of the Bahamas.
Sheriff Robert Hardwick said in a conference on Friday that he had a legal visa and ICE is investigating if he had a criminal history in the Bahamas before the visa was granted.
A judge set the following bond:
- Attempting to elude: felony offense
- Count 1 Bond: $10,000
- Resisting an officer without violence: misdemeanor offense
- Count 2 Bond: $1,000
- Grand theft motor vehicle
- Count 3 Bond: $2,500
- Possession of marijuana under 20 grams
- Count 4 Bond: $500