Man Who Stole Father's Car Fatally Shot By Deputies
Posted: 6:37 am EST November 27, 2007Updated: 1:00 pm EST November 27, 2007
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Two Orange County sheriff's deputies were placed on administrative leave Tuesday after they opened fire and killed a man they said tried to run them over.
SLIDESHOW: Images From The Scene
Investigators first spotted a stolen car on Conway Road near Curry Ford Road just before midnight Monday. Eyewitness News knocked on the door of the Orange County home where the stolen car report was filed, but no one answered. A 1960 Ford Thunderbird sat in the carport, a 1965 Thunderbird sat on the grass next to the home and there was enough room in the driveway for a 1964 Chevy Impala."I've seen several cars there. They've always had a bunch of cars," next door neighbor Rosa Thomas told Eyewitness News.The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Scott Saip was house-sitting for James Moore at his home while Moore was in the hospital. At some point on Monday, Saip said, Moore's son, 40-year-old Jim Martin, stole the 1964 Chevy Impala. A sheriff's deputy and deputy trainee spotted the car on Conway Road overnight."All I heard was the police yelling and the guy with a K-9 dog," said eyewitness Richard Tartaglia.After they tried to pull Martin over, investigators said Martin hit one of the deputies before driving toward them. At least one of the deputies fired back."We wouldn't be having this conversation if the suspect had complied with the deputy. Get out of car and put your hands up. He would have been taken to jail and probably bonded out by now," said Jim Solomons, Orange County Sheriff's Office.After he was shot, investigators said Martin crashed through a gate and into a street lamp, breaking a palm tree in half.Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. He has a long criminal history dating back to 1993. He was released from jail in August for a felony fleeing and eluding charge."He left them no choice, but to do what they needed to do," Tartaglia said.Eyewitness News tried to talk to Martin's family. They didn't want to go on camera.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement picked up the investigation. The sheriff's office said deputy sergeants Luis Tabio and Jeff Freeman were involved in Monday night's shooting, but it was not clear who did the firing.
SLIDESHOW: Images From The SceneInvestigators first spotted a stolen car on Conway Road near Curry Ford Road just before midnight Monday. Eyewitness News knocked on the door of the Orange County home where the stolen car report was filed, but no one answered. A 1960 Ford Thunderbird sat in the carport, a 1965 Thunderbird sat on the grass next to the home and there was enough room in the driveway for a 1964 Chevy Impala."I've seen several cars there. They've always had a bunch of cars," next door neighbor Rosa Thomas told Eyewitness News.The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Scott Saip was house-sitting for James Moore at his home while Moore was in the hospital. At some point on Monday, Saip said, Moore's son, 40-year-old Jim Martin, stole the 1964 Chevy Impala. A sheriff's deputy and deputy trainee spotted the car on Conway Road overnight."All I heard was the police yelling and the guy with a K-9 dog," said eyewitness Richard Tartaglia.After they tried to pull Martin over, investigators said Martin hit one of the deputies before driving toward them. At least one of the deputies fired back."We wouldn't be having this conversation if the suspect had complied with the deputy. Get out of car and put your hands up. He would have been taken to jail and probably bonded out by now," said Jim Solomons, Orange County Sheriff's Office.After he was shot, investigators said Martin crashed through a gate and into a street lamp, breaking a palm tree in half.Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. He has a long criminal history dating back to 1993. He was released from jail in August for a felony fleeing and eluding charge."He left them no choice, but to do what they needed to do," Tartaglia said.Eyewitness News tried to talk to Martin's family. They didn't want to go on camera.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement picked up the investigation. The sheriff's office said deputy sergeants Luis Tabio and Jeff Freeman were involved in Monday night's shooting, but it was not clear who did the firing.
Copyright 2008 by WFTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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