22-year-old robbery suspect arrested in Cascades Park after police chase

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A 22-year-old man was arrested near Tallahassee’s Cascades Park after leading police on a chase Wednesday afternoon.

22-year-old Adeis Francis is now facing charges for robbery and hit and run, according to booking information. He is held at the Leon County Jail.

The incident began to unfold around 10:30 a.m. at the Home Depot off Capital Circle Northeast when a man walked into the store and concealed merchandise before attempting to leave without paying, said an incident synopsis from the Tallahassee Police Department. The man was stopped at the door by store security when he allegedly reached into a bag and threatened to shoot the security guard. The man then reportedly left in a vehicle.

Officers were called and provided details of the car, which was a silver sedan. The Florida Highway Patrol was called in to help with the search. Soon after, Troopers saw the vehicle near the intersection of Capital Circle Southeast and Park Avenue, said a release from FHP. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office was also called in to help.

All three agencies chased the vehicle to Gaines Street, near Cascades Park when the man crashed it and ran on foot. Several WCTV viewers caught the aftermath on camera as he ran through the popular recreational area in broad daylight.

“You know, even in the best of neighborhoods, anything can happen at anywhere at any time nowadays,” Tallahassee resident Judy Clay told WCTV’s Mike Rogers. “So you just have to be diligent and be aware of your surroundings.”

LCSO’s AirOne Helicopter Unit was able to follow the suspect, who was ultimately arrested on Suwannee Street near the Department of Transportation Credit Union. He was later identified as Francis.

An unidentified 19-year-old female passenger from Defuniak Springs was also in the car, according to FHP.

Francis has a lengthy criminal history including numerous arrests since 2020.

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