Law enforcement catches up with Leesburg man who fled during chase last month

A Leesburg man has been arrested on a warrant charging him with fleeing from law enforcement.

Dexter Dontrail Johnson, 33, was taken in by Leesburg police for the occurrence. He also violated his probation by eluding law enforcement on or about April 3, further leading to his arrest. 

Around 11:57 p.m. on March 30, a deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling Thomas Avenue behind a black 2023 Ford Explorer, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County. The vehicle was going about 50 mph in a posted 35-mph zone. Therefore, as it turned onto Colonial Street, the deputy activated his emergency blue lights to perform a traffic stop. 

The vehicle then turned into the driveway of 2421 Colonial Street. As the deputy turned in behind it, the vehicle began to drive away from the deputy and tried to drive around another vehicle to flee. However, a large tree prevented the Explorer’s escape, and the deputy was able to clearly see the driver of the vehicle, a man matching Johnson’s description, the report said. 

Johnson backed up as the deputy got out of his patrol car with his weapon drawn. The deputy gave loud verbal commands to stop, but Johnson placed the Explorer in drive and went past the deputy to flee eastbound on Colonial Avenue. As he passed, the deputy was again able to clearly see through the Explorer’s untinted driver’s window and got a good look at the driver, the report said. 

The vehicle fled and came to a stop at 302 Sandy Oak Circle in the apartment complex. The deputy arrived shortly after to find the vehicle abandoned. A perimeter was established with the assistance of the Leesburg Police Department. A K9 track was attempted with no results, the report said. 

Through investigative tools, the deputy was able to positively identify the driver as Johnson. Upon viewing his ID card on record, he confirmed he was the driver of the Explorer that fled. Records also showed that his license was revoked as of April 2014 for fleeing to elude, and he had one prior driving while license suspended charge, the report said. 

Johnson was ultimately arrested Friday by the Leesburg Police Department on a warrant for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officer and driving while license suspended. He thereby violated his probation, including charges of two counts of writing threats to kill or do bodily injury, aggravated stalking (violation of an injunction), possession of firearm by felon (constructive possession) and criminal mischief. He was taken to Lake County Jail with bond set at $6,500.