PRESS RELEASE REGARDING ARMED AND DANGEROUS SUBJECT
Date: 05/18/2022
On Wednesday May 18, 2022 officers with the Marianna Police Department responded to the Dollar General located in the 4200 block of Lafayette Street in reference to a man acting erratic and displaying a firearm. Upon officers arrival, the subject fled heading west through a wooded area.
Other officers arriving on scene attempted to apprehend the suspect but he evaded them and began running north through residential yards.
Officers gave chase and confronted the subject in the backyard of a nearby residence. Officers were able to clearly see the subject was holding a semi-automatic handgun.
Officers drew their weapons and ordered the subject to drop his weapon. After an exchange of words with the subject, he made suicidal utterances and took flight into a wooded thicket.
Due to officer safety and the safety of the public, a perimeter was established and the Jackson Correctional Institution K9 team was deployed.
After a short track through the wooded area where the subject was last seen, officers on the perimeter radioed and advised that he exited the wooded area without the firearm.
A short foot pursuit ensued and the subject was apprehended with the utilization of a Taser deployment. The subject was taken to an area hospital to be medically cleared and then transported to Jackson County Jail.
The subject was identified as James Crooms of Chipley, FL. Throughout the investigation, officers determined that Crooms was involved in other crimes which resulted in further charges against him.
Crooms was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, False Imprisonment, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, Unlawful Carry of a Firearm, Resist Officer without Violence, and Petit Theft.
The Marianna Police Department would like to thank the Jackson Correctional Institution K9 team, Appalachee Correctional Institution K9 team, Florida Highway Patrol, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Marianna Fire & Rescue, and Jackson County Fire & Rescue for their assistance in this matter.
Chief Hayes Baggett would like to encourage the citizens of Marianna to report any illegal or suspicious activity to the Marianna Police Department at (850) 526-3125 
