Clay to Putnam pursuit ends in arrest

An Orange Park man is accused of leading police on a two-county chase.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Daniel Cox stole a truck in Clay County Monday night.

After trying to hit a Clay County deputy with the truck, investigators say Cox led police on a chase to Putnam County.

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Putnam County deputies joined the chase that went from Bardin Road to Johns Road, where the suspect crashed into a cattle gate and fence.

Still trying to get away, deputies say Cox rammed a Clay County patrol car, then drove into a marshy area where he got out of the truck, covered himself in mud, and tried to hide.

Deputies found the suspect with the help of K9 and he was arrested.

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A search revealed Cox had a large amount of meth and a sawed-off shotgun.

Cox, 25, was charged with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a vehicle used to traffic narcotics, possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, resisting arrest without violence and criminal mischief damage over $1,000.

He’ll face additional charges in Clay County.

Cox is a convicted felon who was released from prison in 2021.

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Austin Daniel Cox, 25, faces several charges including trafficking meth.
Austin Daniel Cox, 25, faces several charges including trafficking meth.
Deputies say Austin Daniel Cox, 25, stole a truck from Clay County and crashed it in Putnam County.
Deputies say Austin Daniel Cox, 25, stole a truck from Clay County and crashed it in Putnam County.

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