An accused kidnapper has been apprehended following a dramatic high-speed chase in Florida that resulted in the safe recovery of a 7-week-old baby. The incident unfolded when a watchful citizen in Liberty County spotted a truck that matched the description of a Georgia Amber Alert and promptly called 911.
The Amber Alert had been issued earlier in the day for the infant, and after receiving the call, Liberty County deputies were able to locate the vehicle, driven by the suspect, Maurtez Rashaad Edwards. When deputies attempted to stop the truck, Edwards fled, prompting a coordinated police pursuit that included the Florida Highway Patrol.
The chase escalated as more law enforcement units joined the effort to safely detain the vehicle. In a crucial moment, the police employed a slow-speed Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, successfully disabling the suspect’s truck as the pursuit neared a T-intersection.
Despite the maneuver, Edwards attempted to ram a police officer’s vehicle and threatened himself with an AR-15-style rifle in a standoff. However, law enforcement acted swiftly, with an LCSO sergeant disarming him before he fled into nearby woods, where he was later apprehended.
Remarkably, the abducted infant was found unharmed inside the suspect’s vehicle and was evaluated on-site by medical personnel before being joyfully reunited with family. Several officers experienced minor injuries during the incident, but fortunately, none required hospitalization.
Edwards faces multiple charges, including fleeing law enforcement, aggravated assault on an officer, child endangerment, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm during a felony, with additional charges from Bibb County, Georgia, expected.
This incident underscores the importance of quick action from alert citizens and the teamwork of law enforcement in ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals. The prompt response led to a positive outcome, with the baby returned safely to his family, showcasing the vital role of community vigilance in such dire situations.