Okaloosa deputies deploy spike strip to stop fleeing suspect in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A man was arrested Monday night after fleeing deputies and tossing a handgun out the window of his vehicle, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Anthony Gabriel, 29, of Crestview, is charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement with lights and siren active, driving with a suspended or revoked license and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, an OCSO press release said.

About 9:30 p.m., an OCSO supervisor approached Gabriel’s Jeep Cherokee during a traffic stop on John King Road, according to the release. Gabriel rapidly accelerated, slinging dirt as he sped away.

More:Destin traffic stop leads to arrest for drug trafficking outside of Destin nightclub

More:Arrests continue in massive Walton drug-trafficking case Operation Mr. and Mrs. Clean

Gabriel then ran a red light at State Road 85 and continued west onto Antioch Road and beyond, running multiple stop signs at high speed, the release said. As his Jeep crested the overpass of Interstate 10, Gabriel tossed something out the window. A deputy reportedly stopped to check the item and found it was a 9 mm handgun.

A second deputy deployed spike strips south of Pioneer Road, which successfully damaged three of the tires on Gabriel’s vehicle. Gabriel continued driving before eventually stopping on State Road 4 near Old Brown Road, where he got out of his Jeep, laid on the ground and was taken into custody.

A female passenger was released without charges, according to the Sheriff's Office.

There were no reported injuries in the incident.

Gabriel was booked into Okaloosa County Jail on $6,000 bond, according to jail records.