Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a dramatic series of events that unfolded yesterday, 28-year-old Demetrius Hank Davis found himself in police custody after a high-speed escape attempt turned into a foot chase through a residential neighborhood. Davis’s capture was significantly aided by a vigilant homeowner who intervened to protect his family.

The incident began when a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper observed a sedan speeding south on NE Waldo Road, clocked at 99 mph in a 65 mph zone. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but Davis, the driver, refused to heed the signal. Instead, he veered onto NE 77th Court, careening through local streets at reckless speeds before reaching NE 96th Avenue.

As the sedan approached a “T” intersection, Davis leapt from the moving vehicle and dashed into the woods. The trooper, in hot pursuit on foot, noticed Davis clutching a large object in his pocket. Despite the trooper’s efforts, Davis managed to reach a nearby home, where his run came to an abrupt halt.

The homeowner, alarmed by the intrusion and concerned for his children’s safety, tackled Davis as he attempted to enter the backyard. Although Davis initially broke free, the homeowner and the trooper, who had caught up, worked together to subdue him. The situation escalated as Davis allegedly grabbed the homeowner in a sensitive area, resulting in injury and prompting the homeowner to press charges.

In addition to the day’s events, Davis faced arrest on an outstanding warrant related to a March 2025 incident. In that case, he allegedly lost control of a vehicle during another attempted escape from a traffic stop, crashing into a residence. Both incidents coincidentally occurred on March 2, a fact not lost on law enforcement as they processed Davis for his latest escapades.

After arresting Davis, the trooper returned to where he had run from the car and reportedly found a 9mm pistol in the woods, with no signs of having been outdoors for any length of time.

Davis was charged with fleeing with lights and sirens active, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, battery, resisting an officer without violence, and driving with a suspended license.

Davis was also booked on a warrant from an incident on March 2, 2025, in which he allegedly fled from a traffic stop, lost control of his vehicle, and crashed into some bushes before hitting and damaging a house in the 900 block of NW 24th Avenue. Davis allegedly fled from the vehicle without leaving any information. The smell of marijuana provided probable cause for a search of the vehicle, which reportedly produced 12 large rocks of crack cocaine, and a bag containing about 27.8 grams of methamphetamine was reportedly found along his flight path.

For the 2025 case, Davis has been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, aggravated fleeing with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and driving with a suspended license.

Davis has 11 felony convictions (non-violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he is also wanted in Suwannee County, where he was previously arrested for trafficking in cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and released on his own recognizance.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $625,000 on the new charges and $550,000 on the 2025 charges.

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.