On Tuesday, October 31, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested a 13 year old juvenile on multiple charges including carjacking and abduction following a frantic 911 call from the victim.
At 4:05 pm, the Columbia County Combined Communication Center received a 911 call from a female stating a subject had stolen her car at gunpoint. The caller, who was still in the car, was able to give the direction the car was travelling and street names they were passing. Deputies responded to the area, converging on the car’s location.
Deputies spotted the car travelling south on Main Blvd just north of Duval St in Lake City. Deputies attempted to stop the car but it failed to stop, therefore the Deputies used the precision immobilization technique (PIT) to stop the car.
The driver, Devon Hunter Welch, 13 was taken into custody and the victim, Joyce Ellis, 67 was checked by EMS following the traumatic incident.
The investigation revealed that shortly before 4 pm, Ellis was in her garage at 190 NW Dudley Loop, when Welch approached her and asked for a ride. She declined and Welch left, but returned moments later displaying a handgun and demanded her keys. Ellis relinquished the keys and then Welch enters the car but could not crank it.
Ellis said she opened the passenger door to get the keys from Welch but he was able to crank the car and then threatened to shoot her if she got out of the car. They drove away from the home and Ellis was able to call 911 and alert Deputies to her location.
Ellis did not know Welch prior this contact. Welch is currently being interview by Detectives.
At the time of this release Welch is being charged with armed burglary, carjacking, and abduction along with driving without a license.
The investigation continues. The juvenile offenders name is being released per FFS 985.04(2)
