Police Busy Over Weekend

Cedar Key News received the following report Monday evening from the Cedar Key Police Department:

"On December 19th, while enroute to his residence, Chief Virgil Sandlin observed a vehicle speeding (39.25 MPH) on Hodges Avenue. Upon activating his emergency lights, the vehicle sped up and attempted to elude his police vehicle. The truck was unable to negotiate the corner at Whiddon Avenue, and it proceeded south on Gulf Blvd. to Palmetto Drive. The suspect was unaware that Palmetto is a dead end street. Upon reaching the end of Palmetto Drive, the driver fled the vehicle, while the passenger remained seated in the truck.

"The driver entered the canal parallel to Palmetto Drive, Cpl Perry and Officer Cosseboom arrive to give assistance, as did Fire Chief Robert Robinson and the residents of the area. The driver could not be located. The passenger, Timothy M. Luckey, 20, was detained and questioned and then released pending further investigation. Subsequent investigation revealed this vehicle to be suspect in an attempted golf cart theft on Watson Circle. The driver is also suspect in the theft of Chris Reynolds` van, which was taken from SR 24. The van was recovered the next day by the Dixie County Sheriff`s Department.

"And when you think things could not go more wrong, two unknown persons, at this time, entered the Downtown Jiffy Store and took an undetermined amount of cash. The robbery was perpetrated by persons with knowledge of store procedures and keys to the store. The investigation is ongoing and arrest will hopefully be made soon.

"Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cedar Key Police Department."