K-9 takes down man wanted for attempted homicide, robbery: Florida Highway Patrol
PENSACOLA, Fla. ( WKRG ) — A man wanted for charges of attempted homicide, home invasion and robbery was arrested after being taken down by a trooper K-9 Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
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An FHP news release said troopers were patrolling the area of Michigan Avenue and Memphis Avenue in Pensacola when the trooper witnessed a vehicle traveling above the speed limit with illegally tinted windows and the driver "trying to conceal himself by lowering his posture and attempting to hide behind the b-pillar in his vehicle."
The trooper made a U-turn and tried to conduct a traffic stop when the vehicle pulled into a driveway on Fairview Avenue, according to the release.
The release said the trooper tried to stop the car, but the suspect began backing out of the driveway.
At that point, the trooper initiated a low-speed Precision Immobilization Maneuver to stop the suspect from leaving, according to officials.
Officials said the driver was able to exit the PIT maneuver and began traveling west on Michigan Avenue at over 100 miles per hour in the rain.
The driver then headed the wrong direction before losing control of the vehicle, crossing the eastbound lane and running into a pole, the release said.
The driver allegedly began exiting the vehicle, and that is when the trooper released K-9 Colt, who was able to apprehend the driver, identified as 25-year-old Najee Izeal Rich.
Rich had active warrants issued out of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for attempted homicide, robbery/home invasion with a firearm, and making a false police report.
Those charges stem from an incident that happened on Jan. 11, where Rich allegedly entered a person's home and tried to shoot them. The victim shot back, and both were injured.
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Rich was taken to the Escambia County Jail after being released from Baptist Hospital, according to FHP.
