An Ocala man is facing a string of charges after deputies say a domestic disturbance escalated into a vehicle theft, pursuit, and arrest late Friday night.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched April 18 to a reported verbal altercation between a woman and her boyfriend at a residence in Marion County. The suspect, identified as Jorge Salazar, is accused of taking the woman’s vehicle keys without permission and leaving the scene in her red GMC SUV.
A deputy responding to the call reported spotting a vehicle matching the description leaving the area “in a reckless manner,” striking multiple mailboxes along the way. Emergency lights and sirens were activated, but the driver allegedly continued southbound on Southwest 27th Avenue at a high rate of speed, ignoring commands to stop.
The pursuit ended in the 10600 block of Southwest 27th Avenue after the driver lost control and spun out. Deputies boxed in the vehicle to prevent further movement.
Salazar initially refused commands to exit the vehicle and later refused to get on the ground after stepping out, according to the report. A second deputy performed a tackle, and when Salazar continued to resist, a Taser was deployed. He was then taken into custody.
While on scene, the deputy reported detecting the odor of alcohol and observing signs of impairment. According to the affidavit, Salazar stated he had consumed three beers and “20 bumps of cocaine,” which deputies noted as a spontaneous statement.
Deputies also determined Salazar did not have a valid driver’s license and had no record of one. A records check indicated he is not a U.S. citizen.
The vehicle involved was reported to belong to the woman at the original incident location, who told deputies Salazar did not have permission to drive it and had never driven it before.
Salazar was transported to HCA West Marion for medical treatment after reportedly cutting his hand prior to leaving the residence. He was later taken to the Marion County Jail.
He faces multiple charges, including DUI, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, resisting an officer without violence, and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Bond amounts were listed across the charges, including $2,500 for grand theft auto and fleeing and eluding, along with additional bonds for the remaining offenses.
If the report reads like a checklist of everything not to do behind the wheel, deputies say that’s because it is. What began as an argument ended with a crashed SUV, a short pursuit, and a long list of charges waiting on the other side of it.
