Home » WATCH CAR CHASE: Brevard County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit Tracks Down Car Jacking Suspect

WATCH CAR CHASE: Brevard County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit Tracks Down Car Jacking Suspect

By  //  March 3, 2020

BCSO Sgt. Chris Ferrante takes down armed carjacker after countywide car chase

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit ‘STAR’ unit tracked 31-year-old Douglas William Dixon’s vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed through Rockledge, Viera and Cocoa, before crossing the Hubert Humphrey Bridge on State Road 520 into Merritt Island. As the vehicle crossed the bridge, stop sticks were deployed, disabling the vehicle. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy involved in yesterday’s Merritt Island deputy-involved shooting incident.

According to Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy is identified as Sergeant Chris Ferrante.

The suspect wounded in this case, who is identified as 31-year-old Douglas William Dixon, is in stable condition at a local hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and any charges related to the incidents are pending at this time.

Sergeant Chris Ferrante has served as a deputy and corporal in our road patrol, Traffic Unit and the Ag/Marine Unit. He was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and is currently assigned to Operational Services as the sergeant of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Traffic Enforcement Units. (BCSO image)

“Sergeant Ferrante has been a member of the Sheriff’s Office since November 2000,” said Goodyear.

“He has served as a deputy and corporal in our road patrol, Traffic Unit and the Ag/Marine Unit. He was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and is currently assigned to Operational Services as the sergeant of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Traffic Enforcement Units.”

Prior to his employment with the Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Ferrante proudly served as a member of the Cocoa Police Department, Department of Corrections and the United States Navy.

“Sergeant Ferrante has been placed on paid administrative leave as is customary in officer-involved shootings,” said Goodyear.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old, Douglas William Dixon of Cocoa. Dixon has a previous criminal history that includes arrests for Occupied Burglary, Grand Theft, Forgery, Use of the ID of another person without consent, Fleeing and Eluding LEO during a Pursuit and Habitual Traffic Offender. (BCSO image)

SHERIFF’S AVIATION UNIT ‘STAR’ TRACKS SUSPECT

The incident began at approximately 1 p.m. Monday afternoon when a deputy observed what he believed to be the stolen vehicle in the area of Canaveral Groves Boulevard.

As the deputy went to investigate, the vehicle fled the area at a high rate of speed. Approximately ten minutes later the vehicle was spotted southbound on Interstate-95.

At that point, the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit (STAR) was able to observe the vehicle, which was still traveling at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle traveled through Rockledge, Viera and Cocoa, before crossing the Hubert Humphrey Bridge on State Road 520 into Merritt Island. As the vehicle crossed the bridge, stop sticks were deployed, disabling the vehicle. The suspect ran from the vehicle and attempted to conduct an armed carjacking at a convenience store.

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to please call Agent Philipp Urbanetz of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office at 321-633-8413. 

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a deputy-involved shooting that took place at approximately 1:45 p.m. Monday afternoon in the area of State Road 520 and North Tropical Trail on Merritt Island. (Image by Stephen Walls)

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