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A stolen-car pursuit came to an abrupt end Monday afternoon when one of the fleeing suspects picked the wrong garage.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received an automated license plate reader alert around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 24. The alert identified a stolen white Volkswagen sedan near Blanding Boulevard and Camp Francis Johnson Road in Orange Park, Florida.
Deputies moved into the area and located the car. The driver allegedly fled, striking a patrol vehicle and another citizen’s vehicle during the escape.
Nobody was injured in either collision.
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Suspects Run in Opposite Directions
The two occupants eventually abandoned the Volkswagen along Blanding Boulevard and ran in opposite directions.
Deputies quickly caught the passenger, identified as 32-year-old Amanda Jean Strickland.
The alleged driver, 34-year-old William Tracy White Jr., continued into a nearby neighborhood. Investigators say he ran through several backyards before entering a detached garage on Grafton Drive.
The homeowner and his wife were home at the time.
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According to Sheriff Michelle Cook, the homeowner confronted White and shot him once in the leg.
“The homeowner of the house intervened and actually shot the suspect who had entered his detached garage,” Cook said during a press conference.
Deputies provided medical aid before White was taken to a hospital. Cook described his injury as non-life-threatening.
The homeowner and his wife were not injured.
“This Is Second Amendment Country”
When a reporter asked Cook about the homeowner’s actions, the sheriff offered a fairly direct response.
“This is Second Amendment country,” Cook said. “You know, stand your ground, all of that.”
Cook stopped short of making a final legal determination. Detectives were still interviewing the homeowner and investigating exactly what happened inside or near the garage.
“I just met with the homeowner and his wife who were both at home when this happened,” Cook added. “It’s not something that you want to do, but they were prepared.”
A neighbor also supported the homeowner’s decision.
“If they stole a car and he ran in my house, I’d shoot him too,” Anita Jones told Action News Jax.
Charges Filed Against White
Cook initially said White had two outstanding warrants. One was reportedly for grand theft, while the other was believed to be an out-of-state armed robbery warrant.
Jail records later listed new charges against White stemming from Monday’s incident. Those charges reportedly include grand theft auto, burglary and aggravated fleeing involving injury or property damage.
Authorities had not publicly clarified what charges Strickland would face when the sheriff delivered her initial briefing.
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The sheriff’s office said there was no continuing threat to the neighborhood and no suspects remained at large.
This incident started with a license plate reader alert, turned into a vehicle pursuit and ended with a wanted man allegedly hiding inside a stranger’s garage.
The homeowner did not go looking for trouble. Trouble came directly onto his property.
The investigation into the shooting remained active. Officials had not announced any charges against the homeowner.
Self-defense doesn’t end when the threat goes down. That’s when the real battle begins. Lawyers. Prosecutors. Headlines. USCCA Members never fight that battle alone. Find out how.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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