Staff report

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – A 20-year-old Branford resident, Chase Michael Coleman, was apprehended on charges of grand theft of a firearm following an accusation that he had aimed a gun at another car on I-75.

Around 12:25 p.m. on July 8, units from the High Springs Police Department were informed that a Lexus, allegedly implicated in a road rage episode on I-75, was traveling north on U.S. Hwy 441 entering High Springs. The informant claimed that the Lexus driver had aimed a firearm at their car on northbound I-75. It was reported that both cars exited at Exit 399 and continued on U.S. Hwy 441 northward.

The Lexus was stopped near the junction of U.S. Hwy 441 and High Springs Main Street. Upon exiting the vehicle, Coleman, along with his passenger, was approached by a High Springs Police officer. Coleman voluntarily admitted to having both a gun and marijuana in the car.

The serial number of the gun matched a firearm that was stolen in Houston.

The officer reported that he had not made contact with the caller since the traffic stop, so no charges were filed for the road rage incident at the time of Coleman’s arrest.

Post Miranda, Coleman reportedly said he received the gun in a trade with his father.

Coleman has been charged with grand theft of a firearm. He has juvenile convictions in 2019 and 2020 but no adult criminal history. Judge Mitchell Bishop set bail at $5,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.