Early morning police chase ends in one arrest, warrants

The Port St. Joe Police Department has arrested a man and filed warrants for the arrest of a woman following a vehicle pursuit and on-foot chase through downtown Port St. Joe Thursday morning.

According to the police department, Officers Nichols and Lieutenant Burch stopped a gold Kia van on Jones Homestead Road due to the passenger, Ricardo Clemmons, 33, of Port St. Joe, having a warrant.

The wanted subject fled on foot, circled back and jumped in with the female driver (who was identified as Micaela Fedd, 21, of Port St. Joe) who then started a vehicle pursuit back into town.

Officers disengaged and canceled the pursuit due to the vehicle speed over 100 miles per hour.

Later that morning, PSJPD Chief Jake Richards ran into the vehicle in question as it rounded the corner from Highway 98 onto Highway 71. According to a press release from the PSJPD, the wanted passenger was hanging out the sliding door of the van at the time, and upon seeing Richards, attempted to flee on foot down Reid Avenue.

Officers set perimeters and chased Clemmons, who was eventually apprehended.

“He ran down Reid, cut across to Monument where he was cut off and threw a baggy of drugs in front of Chief Richards,” read the release. “He then ran back to the alley behind Reid where he was apprehended by Lt. Burch and Lt. Wood.”

The Van continued to flee, and officers did not pursue it due to the driver being identified. The van was recovered (unoccupied) on Avenue C and impounded around 11 a.m. EDT.

Clemmons was arrested and charged with multiple charges.

Warrants are being filed by PSJPD for Fedd’s arrest.

“Thank you to the citizens that helped and were attempting to help,” the PSJPD said. “Law enforcement appreciates the help in a busy small town.”

There is not believed to be any threat to public safety at this time.