Couple arrested after retail theft and high-speed chase in Marion County

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrested a couple who they say stole from a retail store, fled, and then continued to elude law enforcement until they were caught and charged with possessing several drugs, among other charges, Monday night.

Deputies said on Feb. 10 they responded to a theft at the Walmart on South U.S. Highway 441.

Investigators found that the two suspects, Heather Davis, 34, of Sebastian, and Jared Morrison, 38, of Ocala, had left the store without paying for their items and were left in a white van.

MCSO deputies spotted their vehicle run a stop sign at Southeast 102nd Court Road and Highway 42 intersection.

Deputies attempted to stop the car but the couple initiated a nearly three-minute-long chase that led deputies on until Morrison hit a barbed wire fence.

Both suspects continued to run from deputies until they caught up to them, first capturing Morrison.

They began to search for Davis, where they found her hiding in a field when K-9s guided deputies to her location.

Both were taken to Marion County Jail. They each face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

Morrison faces charges of petit retail theft, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, no valid driver’s license, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. He has no bond set and his next court date is scheduled for March 18.

Davis faces charges of probation violation, petit retail theft, resisting a merchant, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. She has no bond set and her next court date is scheduled for March 18.

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