SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Deputies Looking For Man Wanted For Kidnapping, Battery , and Reckless Driving

During the early morning hours of 5/23/07, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the area Sterling Road and Bach Drive in reference to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle in the area. The complainant stated that they could hear a woman screaming for help. The complainant also stated that they could see a dark colored Ford Mustang. When deputies arrived, the vehicle had already left the area. Responding deputies observed a dark colored Mustang traveling on Sterling Road which appeared to be chasing a truck. Deputies got behind the Mustang, after the Mustang tried to run the truck off the road. The Mustang was trying to elude the deputies and was eventually followed to King Oaks Court, at which time the driver of the Mustang fled on foot and was not able to be located. The truck that was run off of the road followed the deputies to King Oaks Court, at which time a female exited the truck and told deputies that she was the woman that was heard screaming for help earlier, and that the male driver of the Mustang had "beat her up". Further investigation revealed that the driver of the Mustang was Donald Leo Jones III, 27 years old. The female victim stated that Jones had picked her up earlier and they went to his residence on King Oaks Court in Pace, FL, at which time they began to argue. The victim decided to leave Jones' residence and began to walk from his residence. Jones followed her in his Mustang and told her to get in and that he would take her to her vehicle in Milton. When the victim got into his car, Jones took her to an unknown location and began to hit and strangle the victim. Jones also slammed the victim's head against the concrete and threw her out of the car. The victim then began to walk away, at which time Jones forced her back into his car against her will and began to punch her in the head as he drove to another location. Jones was attempting to keep the victim's head down so she couldn't see where Jones was taking her. Jones then drove her to another location where he began to punch and bite the victim. It was at that time the previous mentioned truck drove up on Jones and the victim. The victim then jumped out of the car and was picked up by the occupants of the truck. Jones then began to follow the truck, trying to run the truck off the road. It was then that deputies got behind Jones' Mustang. Jones was not able to be located after this incident. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jones for the below mentioned charges. Anyone with information concerning Jones whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. A photograph of Jones is attached to this email.

Suspect:

Donald Leo Jones III, W/M, 27 years old

5000 Block of King Oaks Court , Pace , FL

Charges:

Kidnapping, one count, 1 st degree felony

Battery , one count, first degree Misdemeanor

Reckless Driving, one count, 2 nd degree misdemeanor

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

850-981-2136

850-698-4441