Armed burglary suspect still on the loose

Armed burglar eluded capture Monday; victim recovering

  • A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)
    A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

    An armed burglar eluded capture following a shooting Monday morning.

    After nearly three hours, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office called off a shelter-in-place warning issued for the area near SW Marion Street, SW Ponce De Leon Avenue, SW Michigan Street and SW Maryland Lane as well as their search in the vicinity for the burglary suspect around 1:30 p.m. Monday.

    The CCSO is asking anyone that lives in the area to review any doorbell, home security or dash cameras they may have from Monday morning to see if they can spot the suspect, who was described by the victim as a tall male in dark clothing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the CCSO at 386-719-2005 or anonymously through the Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7009.

    Craig Strickland, a CCSO spokesman, said as of Tuesday afternoon there was no additional description of the suspected shooter.

    “Nothing at this point,” Strickland said. 

    Deputies responded to a residence on SW Michigan Street at approximately 10:43 a.m. Monday after a woman was shot and found the victim laying in the yard in front of an apartment.

    According to a CCSO release, deputies moved the woman into a patrol vehicle and transported her to meet EMS. During transport, the victim told deputies that she came home from shopping and found the man in her apartment. He then reportedly shot her.

    A perimeter was set up as well as the shelter-in-place warning being issued.

    The release states when the Suwannee and Columbia County SWAT teams entered the residence, the shooter had already fled the area.

    Authorities canvassed the area with K-9 units for nearly three hours and a plane circled the vicinity for several hours as well in the effort to locate the suspect.

    The CCSO received support during the search and transport from the Lake City Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol Air Unit, the SCSO SWAT Team, the State Attorney’s Office, Columbia County Fire Rescue and Columbia EMS.