Florida man begs for a smoke following chase and arrest

Late-Night Carjacking Ends with Suspect Jumping into Halifax River

VOLUSIA, Fla. – A late-night carjacking in Volusia County ended with a suspect jumping into the Halifax River in an attempt to escape law enforcement — and then politely asking deputies for a cigarette after being arrested.

The Chase

Monday night around 9 p.m., Volusia County deputies responded after a victim reported being carjacked in the Daytona Beach Shores area. The suspect, later identified as Grant Hagood-James, reportedly asked the victim for a ride before pulling a gun and forcing him out of the vehicle.

Deputies immediately issued an alert for the stolen car and deployed a helicopter to track the suspect. Hagood-James eventually abandoned the car near a home on Shamrock Drive, discarding the firearm nearby. Sheriff’s K9 teams joined forces with Port Orange Police, Edgewater Police, and Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety to search the area.

Into the River

The sheriff’s helicopter later spotted the suspect, now shirtless, in the water near a Port Orange restaurant. Hagood-James had jumped into the Halifax River in an effort to flee.

Body-worn camera footage shows the deputies’ surprise when the soaked suspect asked, “Please?” for a cigarette. When asked why he thought he deserved one, he explained that there were alligators — and even crocodiles — in the water, prompting laughter from the deputies.

He was handcuffed and assisted deputies in locating contraband he had discarded in a backpack.

Arrest and Charges

Hagood-James was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail after 11 p.m. He faces armed carjacking and other charges and is being held without bond.