Deputies Capture Man in South Bradenton Chase

An accused gunman in South Bradenton leading authorities on a three-mile chase, switching vehicles multiple times and ultimately fleeing on foot, was captured July 6 with the help of a K9, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports.

Oquine Joseph, 28, is accused of entering a home on the 3000 block of 11th Street Court East and threatening an occupant with a firearm.

Deputies were called to the scene, but Joseph fled the area in a gold vehicle, the sheriff's office reports.

Deputies found him a short time later standing in a driveway three miles away, at a home on the 4900 block of 20th Street West. But Joseph ducked into a black Mercedes before deputies could approach him.

As Joseph was pulling out of the driveway, one deputy stepped out into the roadway and ordered him to stop. Joseph stopped momentarily and then accelerated toward the deputy at "a high rate of speed," nearly hitting him, according to the report.

Another deputy caught up to Joseph one block west, in the 2100 block of 49th Avenue West. In an attempt to escape, Joseph abandoned his vehicle and jumped over a six-foot privacy fence, the report states. 

The deputy ordered Joseph to stop but he did not. When the deputy followed him into the back yard, Joseph was again ordered to stop, but Joseph continued to jump another fence, deputies said.

At that time, a K9 deputy was released. Joseph was apprehended without further incident, according to the report.

Joseph was arrested and charged with armed burglary, aggravated domestic assault, assault on a law enforcement officer with a vehicle, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest without violence, and driving while a license is suspended or revoked. 

He is in custody on at least $23,000 bond.