BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A man concocted the story about a car being stolen in Brevard County that led to a suspect eluding law enforcement officers and a deputy-involved shooting, according to investigators.
Last week, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect attempted to elude law enforcement officers, which led to the deputy-involved shooting.
Now investigators say the man who reported the stolen car, made it up.
Investigators said the man told them he was in the Canaveral Groves area when he spotted a pickup on the side of the road and thought someone needed help.
The man claimed that when he approached the driver’s side, a tattooed man pulled a gun on him and said he needed his car, investigators said.
But deputies said that didn’t happen.
The Sheriff’s Office shared aerial surveillance of a black Dodge Charger barreling through traffic.
Deputies were originally looking for the Charger because the man who rented it reported it stolen.
Deputies said Mark Lightsey, 26, lied about being carjacked.
“From talking with investigators, he had lent the vehicle to another person, who then lent it to another person. He was unable to get the vehicle back,” said Tod Goodyear, of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
When a deputy tried to stop the person in the rental car, the suspect fled.
The Sheriff’s Office believes it’s because the suspect, Douglas Dixon, had an active warrant and was out on bail in another case.
After deputies disabled Dixon’s ride, they said he attempted three real carjackings.
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Dixon was eventually shot by Sgt. Chris Ferrante.
Dixon is in the Brevard County Jail facing numerous charges in a case investigators believe began with a false report.
Lightsey is charged with a misdemeanor and has been released from jail after posting bail.
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