On February 1, 2010, Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tampa man following a traffic stop on U.S. 90 West. At approximately 1030 hrs, Deputy John Snipes observed a U-Haul rental van on U.S. 90 West and Interstate 75. The vehicle matched the description of a BOLO from Suwannee County. The driver was alleged to have caused several hit and run accidents in Suwannee County. Deputy Snipes attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle; however, the driver did not yield. The driver continued eastbound on U.S. 90, making multiple u-turns. Deputy Snipes, assisted by Deputy Jesse Cieslik, Deputy Randy Harrison and units from the Lake City Police Dept and Florida Highway Patrol, attempted to stop the driver. The driver swerved at two CCSO units, trying to force them onto the median. Deputy Harrison was able to block the suspect’s vehicle near Dominos Pizza. Deputies Snipes and Cieslik removed the driver from the U-Haul and took him into custody without incident.
Deputies were able to recover a loaded .45 semi automatic handgun from the driver’s waistband. Deputies also found additional ammunition in the U-Haul for an assault type rifle. No damage was sustained to any law enforcement vehicles.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of previous injuries, not related to this incident.
Arrested
Dale Edwin Baldwin, 12/3/1961
4805 Mandy Avenue
Tampa, FL
Mr. Baldwin was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility without incident and is being held without bond. He is charged with Aggravated Assault (motor vehicle) on a Law Enforcement Officer (2 counts), Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding and Reckless Driving.
Mr. Baldwin faces additional charges from the Florida Highway Patrol for the vehicular incidents in Suwannee County. The inter-agency cooperation by CCSO, LCPD and FHP brought a potentially dangerous situation to a safe ending.
