CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Body camera footage captured the moment Clay County deputies cornered and arrested a kidnapping and attempted sexual battery suspect — less than 30 minutes after a Middleburg woman fought off her attacker during a morning jog Tuesday.
Victim fights back
Around 10 a.m. Tuesday, the woman was jogging along Tynes Boulevard in the Two Creeks area of Middleburg when she passed a man she did not recognize. The man, identified by deputies as 22-year-old Jayson Thomas, grabbed her from behind and dragged her into nearby woods, where he threw her to the ground and began forcibly removing her clothes, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The victim fought him off and ran to a nearby home, where residents called 911. Deputies and detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately and began searching for Thomas.
Suspect caught on camera
In an attempt to evade law enforcement, Investigators say Thomas ran from the woods into a nearby neighborhood, cutting through several backyards. During the pursuit, he changed his clothes — a detail deputies confronted him about directly when he was taken into custody.
Thomas then entered a home in the Pine Ridge area. The homeowners, who did not know Thomas, confronted him and he ran away, according to deputies.
Body camera footage captured the tense moments that followed. Deputies commanded Thomas to come out with his hands up before taking him into custody. When stopped, Thomas claimed he had simply been walking — but deputies quickly noted he was visibly out of breath. Deputies also questioned him about what he had done with the shirt he was wearing earlier.
One deputy could be heard telling Thomas, “I wouldn’t smile, you let a 60-year-old man run you down,” referencing the deputy who helped take him into custody.
The victim was subsequently brought to the scene, where she positively identified Thomas as her attacker.
Charges, school precaution, community response
Thomas was interviewed by detectives and charged with kidnapping, attempted sexual battery, burglary of an occupied residence and resisting without violence.
Investigators noted that Tynes Elementary School was placed on a “hold” status during the investigation as a precaution. Officials emphasized the hold was not related to any threat involving the school or anyone there.
With help from the community, investigators located Thomas within 30 minutes of the initial 911 call. The victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.
“There’s no easy way to describe the courage it takes to fight back during such a horrifying and frightening situation, but our victim found that courage,” Sheriff Michelle Cook said.
“Her strength and bravery is nothing short of remarkable and helped bring our suspect to justice.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 904-264-6512. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the SaferWatch app or by contacting First Coast Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.