MIDDLEBURG – Home surveillance cameras helped the Clay County and Jacksonville sheriff’s offices and the Florida Highway Patrol to track down a man last Sunday wanted for carjacking.

According to updates and SaferWatch alerts, the License Plate Recognition system identified the car. The man abandoned his car shortly after 10 a.m. on Blanding and escaped into the Mayfield community. Cameras showed him running through yards, and many residents said they saw him with a handgun, which prompted law enforcement to order a shelter-in-place warning.

The chase included portions of Tailsman Drive, Saga Court and into a wooded area.

Deputies positioned several squad cars two miles away on CR 200 at Little Black Creek and Joe Johns Road to get ahead of the suspect. Tracking dogs and JSO Air Unit and drones were used to track him. He eventually was spotted in the creek behind Creekwater Inflatables, across the street from the Safe Animal Shelter. Tactical Tracking Teams subdued the man at 1:36 p.m. in the creek following an “exhaustive fight.”

Because the case remains under investigation, JSO, the lead agency in the manhunt, hasn’t released the man’s identity.

Sheriff Michelle Cook responded on social media about the collaboration, writing, “INCREDIBLE work done today! Our Real Time Crime Team picked up on the stolen/armed carjacking vehicle traveling through our county using the LPR system. Deputies responded to the area and the suspect fled on foot. CCSO, FHP and JSO conducted an extensive search through neighborhoods and the swamp off of Joe Johns Rd. The team used drones, tactical tracking teams, the JSO Air Unit and K9 Units to track down the suspect…… who was hiding in 8 feet of water. After an exhaustive fight with officers and engagement by the K9, the suspect was taken into custody.”