Police Chase Ends In Northeast Regional Park With Arrest

DAVENPORT, FL — A 34-year-old man, who was being chased by police in a stolen pickup truck, allegedly tried to ram his way through a fence at Northeast Regional Park. Christopher Cordell instead got stuck and was taken into custody by a Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy.

"An alert deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office spotted a suspicious vehicle early Thursday morning, Dec. 6, 2018, which eventually led to the arrest of34-year-old Christopher Cordell," according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

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The deputy first spotted Cordell in the Chevy pickup shortly before 3 a.m. along a dead-end road near Citrus Ridge Academy school in Davenport.

"Cordell, who was in the truck, immediately fled the scene, and ran through a red light as he drove north on US Hwy 27," the sheriff's office said.

"As the deputy was trying to catch up to Cordell, he saw the truck abruptly turn into Northeast Regional Park," the sheriff's office explained. "With the deputy blocking the only way out of the park, Cordell rammed a fence, but the truck became stuck, and Cordell fled on foot. Additional deputies and a K-9 unit responded to the scene."

Cordell quickly surrendered when he saw a police K-9. The sheriff's office said Cordell had a switch-blade knife and methamphetamines. The truck had been reported stolen out of Osceola County.

"There is a hope that when someone goes to prison, that person will have time to think and make the decision to change their ways to stay out of trouble. This guy obviously hasn't done that on any of his five stays. Maybe a sixth, much longer stay will do the trick," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Cordell was charged with: Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding, Possession of Concealed Weapon, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle and other offenses. Cordell's prior criminal history includes convictions on 16 felonies and 10 misdemeanors. He was last released from prison in February.

Photo of Christopher Cordell courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office