News Release (May 15, 2017)
Major David Harper of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 9:18 am, Deputy Ben Pike was working traffic enforcement on Interstate 10 near the 255 mile marker west bound and attempted to stop a four door Mazda sedan for committing a traffic violation.
Deputy Pike caught up to the Mazda and activated his emergency lights and siren to signal the driver to stop. The driver (later identified as Theodore Joseph Tanner) disregarded Deputy Pike and rapidly accelerated while maneuvering in and out of other motorists. Speeds quickly exceeded 120 miles per hour. Deputy Pike maintained pursuit for approximately 10 miles before the Mazda abruptly came to a stop.
Deputy Pike observed Tanner and the front seat passenger, Jacob Matthew Crockett, switching positions inside the Mazda. Deputy Pike immediately took both Tanner and Crockett into custody without further incident.
Arrested:
Theodore Joseph Tanner
08/21/1997
Lakeland, FL 33813
1. Flee / Attempt to Elude
2. Reckless Driving
3. Possession of Marijuana less 20 grams
4. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
5. Resist Officer without Violence
Jacob Matthew Crockett
06/29/1997
Lakeland, FL 33812
1. Resist Officer without Violence
