STOLEN VEHICLE LEADS TO HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND ARREST OF DEFUNIAK SPRINGS MAN
WALTON COUNTY, FL – A DeFuniak Springs man is behind bars after stealing a vehicle early this morning and leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed pursuit.
Around 7:00 AM on Thursday, August 28, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a black Honda HR-V SUV stolen from a residence on Pipers Landing Road, just north of DeFuniak Springs. A few hours later, deputies located the vehicle traveling east on Highway 90 in the Mossy Head area.
Deputies attempted to intercept the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 90 and State Road 285, but the driver refused to stop. Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies pursued the vehicle, which at times reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The chase continued down Highway 90 onto Kings Lake Boulevard. While attempting to turn onto Paradise Island Drive, the suspect lost control and crashed into a tree.
The driver was identified as Brian Timothy Grant, 45, of DeFuniak Springs. Grant was cleared of any injuries and was taken into custody at the scene without further incident.
He is charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding law enforcement with disregard for the safety of others, driving while license suspended or revoked (third or subsequent offense), and dangerous and excessive speeding. Grant was booked into the Walton County Jail at 11:46 AM, where he remains in custody.
“Reckless actions like this not only put the suspect’s life at risk, but also endanger the public and our deputies,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We’re thankful this pursuit ended without injury and that our deputies were able to safely take this individual into custody.
