A beer theft at a Marion County 7-Eleven turned into a dangerous chase and drug bust. Deputies arrested three suspects after a short pursuit ended with a tactical stop. The incident shows how petty crime often leads to bigger problems in our communities.
Deputies caught the suspects stealing cases of Modelo beer late Saturday night. A store clerk alerted Corporal Michael Stringer, who was fueling his patrol car nearby. The thieves thought they could get away with it, but law enforcement was ready.
The driver, Jaitai Williams, tried to flee when deputies flashed their lights. He led officers on a brief chase through local streets. This reckless driving put innocent lives at risk just to avoid consequences for stealing beer.
Deputy Stringer used a professional PIT maneuver to safely stop the getaway car. This quick action protected other drivers on the road. Our law enforcement officers train hard to handle such situations without unnecessary force.
Inside the car, deputies found more than just stolen beer. Passenger Raymond Myrick threw out drugs including cocaine and deadly fentanyl. These criminals weren’t just stealing – they were pushing poison in our neighborhoods.
Backseat passenger Steven Hogan was caught with the stolen beer. At just 19 years old, he’s already choosing crime over honest work. This is what happens when we fail to teach personal responsibility.
All three suspects now face serious charges. Williams is charged with fleeing police, Myrick with drug possession, and Hogan with theft. They’re learning that actions have real consequences under the law.
This case proves that even “small” crimes like beer theft reveal bigger issues. When we tolerate petty crime, we invite drugs and danger into our streets. Supporting our police is the only way to keep communities safe from such lawlessness.
