On Thursday, July 9, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two men following a dramatic vehicle pursuit which began in north Columbia County on I75.
CCSO deputies had received a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) for a pair of armed robbers heading into our area from Lowndes County Ga driving a gold Mazda with a Ga tag. Deputies spotted the car on I75 and conducted a high risk “felony” stop.
The driver, Allen Perry Rowland, 25 stopped the car, complied with the deputy’s directions and was taken into custody without incident. The passenger, Benedict Phillips, 25 jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off southbound with deputies in pursuit.
The vehicle travelled south and the driver threw out a pistol near the SR 47 exit, which has been retrieved by deputies. The pursuit continued south to the US 41 exit, where the car briefly got off the interstate and then got back on heading southbound once again.
Alachua County SO and Gainesville Police had set up controlled deflation devices in the road near the county line. The driver attempted to evade the stop sticks and crashed into the guardrail.
Phillips was transported to a Gainesville Hospital for treatment and his medical condition is unknown at this time.
The vehicle was secured and a search warrant is being obtained due to the presence of evidence of the robbery and other crimes. Georgia detectives are responding to the scene.
Sheriff Mark Hunter who was on scene said “this is a great example of multiple agencies coming together to stop some very bad men”.
Rowland has not been booked as of the time of this release, therefore no photo is available.
The investigation continues.
