ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Darius Turner, 35, and Darrick Mells, 44, were caught on camera stealing merchandise at Nike, Polo, and Ralph Lauren stores.
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After the two suspects left with the stolen merchandise, deputies initiated a traffic stop on the suspects’ vehicle.
SJSO says Turner was driving and fled before crashing into a fence and patrol car. Then, deputies attempted a PIT maneuver, but Turner got away and drove onto State Road 16, where he crashed again and ran away.
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Turner’s vehicle was full of stolen merchandise.
Turner is charged with fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer, assault, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, grand theft, and petit theft.
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Mells was found by deputies with stolen merchandise in Waffle House and is charged with grand theft and petit theft.
The men are accused of stealing more than $3,100 worth of merchandise. Both remain in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
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